Characteristics of histamine-releasing activity in the sera of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 1996-07, Vol.98 (1), p.89-98
• Main Authors: Zweiman, Burton, Valenzano, Mary, Atkins, Paul C., Tanus, Tonny, Getsy, John A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: basophils; Basophils - drug effects; Basophils - immunology; Basophils - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor; Chronic Disease; Dermatology; Histamine Release; Humans; IgE; IgE receptors; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Lymphokines - blood; Lymphokines - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Prevalence; Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects; Urticaria; Urticaria - blood; Urticaria - etiology; Urticaria - immunology
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/S0091-6749(96)70230-0

Background: The serum histamine-releasing activity (HRA) found in a sizable percentage of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) has been partially characterized. However, the variable effect of individual HRA + sera in basophils of different donors and the relationship of HRA to the clinical course require further investigation. Objective: The study was performed to characterize the HRA found in sera of some members of a sizable group of carefully evaluated patients with CIU. Methods: Sera of 70 patients with CIU, evaluated with a standard protocol, were screened for increased HRA. HRA + sera were fractionated, heated, and tested on unaltered and altered basophils obtained from a panel of normal donors. HRA levels were compared with concomitant clinical manifestations. Results: HRA + sera were found in 30% of our patients with CIU. HRA was predominantly in the IgG fraction, sensitive to 56° C heating for 4 hours, and generally reacted more with IgE-stripped basophils. Considerable variation in the degree of response to HRA + sera in the basophils of different normal subjects did not correlate with the degree of response of these cells to heterologous anti-IgE antiserum. Serum HRA levels were generally much lower when symptoms decreased in these patients with CIU. Conclusion: Serum HRA from patients with CIU appears to bind most commonly to the IgE receptor and may be a marker of clinical disease activity. HRA appears in an IgG-containing fraction of the serum and may contain IgE in some cases. (J ALLERGY C LIN I MMUNOL 1996;98:89-98.)