Histamine release from bronchoalveolar lavage cells from asthmatic subjects after allergen challenge and relationship to the late asthmatic response

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy 1998-02, Vol.28 (2), p.196-204
• Main Authors: Heaney, L. G., Cross, L. J. M., Ennis, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Allergens - immunology; Allergens - pharmacology; Allergic diseases; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic - pharmacology; asthma; Asthma - immunology; basophil; Basophils - cytology; Basophils - drug effects; Basophils - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchial Provocation Tests; bronchoalveolar lavage; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - cytology; bronchoscopy; Chymases; Concanavalin A - pharmacology; Female; histamine; histamine liberation; Histamine Release - immunology; Humans; Immunopathology; Inflammation Mediators - pharmacokinetics; late asthmatic response; Leukocyte Count; Male; mast cell; Mast Cells - cytology; Mast Cells - drug effects; Mast Cells - metabolism; Medical sciences; Respiratory and ent allergic diseases; Serine Endopeptidases - pharmacokinetics; Substance P - pharmacology; Time Factors; Tryptases
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00228.x

Background Metachromatic cells obtained from asthmatic subjects demonstrate increased spontaneous and stimulated histamine release in vitro. Their ability to synthesize and store proinflammatory cytokines has focused renewed interest on their role in asthma. Objective The late asthmatic response provides a useful model of clinical asthma. The aim of the study was to examine metachromatic cell derived mediators and histamine releasability in vitro after in vivo allergen exposure in atopic subjects with and without asthma and relate them to the type of physiological response observed. Methods Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells were obtained 4 h after challenge from asthmatics exhibiting a single early response (EAR, n = 5), a dual response (LAR, n = 7), unchallenged (basal, n = 5), atopic non‐asthmatic (ANA, n = 6) and non‐atopic non‐asthmatics (normal, n = 5). BAL histamine and tryptase concentrations and in vitro histamine release (HR) after stimulation with anti‐IgE, allergen, A23187, conconavalin A and substance P were compared. Results Metachromatic cell numbers were lower in normal controls compared with all asthmatic groups and in LAR compared with EAR. Metachromatic cell derived mediators were higher in asthmatic compared with normal subjects. Spontaneous HR in LAR (20.5 ± 5.0%) was lower than EAR (29.5 ± 3.9%) and ANA (30.2 ± 1.4%) (P