Restoration by Levamisole of Histamine-Inhibited E Rosette Formation of T Lymphocytes of Patients with Allergies

Abstract

Histamine significantly inhibited the E rosette formation of T lymphocytes of patients with allergies in vitro, but had no effect on the E rosette formation of T lymphocytes of healthy subjects. This inhibitory effect was obtained by concentrations of 3.10––4 down to 3.10––7M histamine and depended on the time of incubation. Levamisole, an antianergic chemotherapeutic agent, could restore the histamine-inhibited E rosette formation. It is postulated that patients with allergies possess a subpopulation of T lymphocytes bearing histamine receptors and that the inhibitory effect of histamine on E rosette formation is mediated by intracellular cAMP.