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Histamine release from cord blood basophils
B Windelborg Nielsen1, T M Engberg, T Herlin
1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark.
International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Histamine release (HR) in cord blood is similar to adults and depends on total plasma IgE levels. Factors like storage time significantly impact calcium ionophore-stimulated HR, suggesting maturational differences in immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Neonatal Immunology
Background:
- Histamine release (HR) is a key indicator of allergic and immune responses.
- Understanding neonatal immune responses is crucial for early allergy detection and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate histamine release in cord blood compared to adult blood.
- To determine factors influencing histamine release in neonatal samples, including IgE levels and storage conditions.
Main Methods:
- A microfiber-based assay was used to measure histamine release from 97 cord blood and 50 adult blood samples.
- Stimulation was performed using anti-IgE, concanavalin A, N-formyl-met-leu-phe, and calcium ionophore A23187.
- Plasma IgE content and passive sensitization were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Maximum HR in cord blood was comparable to adults, with significant inter-individual variation.
- Higher plasma IgE levels (≥0.5 IU/ml) correlated with significantly higher maximum HR in cord blood.
- Calcium ionophore-stimulated HR was highly dependent on blood sample storage time.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal histamine release patterns are similar to adults but influenced by plasma IgE concentration.
- The impact of the cyclooxygenase pathway on HR in cord blood may indicate maturational immune differences.
- Standardized sample handling, particularly storage time, is critical for reliable calcium ionophore-induced HR measurements.