PRODUCTION OF A HISTAMINE-RELEASING LYMPHOKINE BY ANTIGEN-STIMULATED OR MITOGEN-STIMULATED HUMAN PERIPHERAL T-CELLS

Abstract

Human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), cultured in the presence of mitogen or antigen, yielded supernatants which contained a factor with histamine-releasing activity (HRA). This factor, analogous to the putative lymphokine HRA described by Thueson, et al. promoted the rapid release of histamine from PBL preparations containing basophils. HRA production by PBL in response to co-culture with the skin test Candida antigen and SK-SD [Streptokinase-streptodornase] reflected the in vivo immune status of the PBL donor. Experiments with isolated cell populations from PBL implicated T cells as the prime source of HRA, production of the factor being macrophage-dependent. HRA activity failed to synergize anti-IgE-mediated histamine release, and was not species-restricted.