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Updated: May 12, 2026
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Humanized Mediator Release Assay as a Read-Out for Allergen Potency
Published on: June 29, 2021
Histamine production by human neutrophils
Lorena Alcañiz1, Antonio Vega, Pedro Chacón
1Servicio Regional de Inmunología y Alergia, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain.
Summary
Human neutrophils produce histamine, a key mediator in allergic reactions. This study confirms neutrophils as histamine producers, with higher enzyme expression in allergy patients, offering a new perspective on allergic disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Histamine is a critical mediator in allergic reactions.
- Histamine production is typically limited to a few human cell types.
- The role of neutrophils in histamine production has not been previously established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether human neutrophils can produce histamine.
- To identify agonists involved in histamine production by human neutrophils.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and flow cytometry to assess histidine decarboxylase expression.
- ELISA to measure histamine in neutrophil culture supernatant.
- Stimulation of neutrophils with various agonists and antigens.
Main Results:
- Human neutrophils confirmed as histamine-producing cells, storing approximately 0.29 pg/cell.
- Neutrophils release about 50% of stored histamine upon stimulation with antigens or other agonists.
- Basal histidine decarboxylase expression is elevated in neutrophils from allergy patients compared to healthy donors.
- Histamine release was observed in response to specific antigens in sensitized patients.
Conclusions:
- Human neutrophils are a significant source of histamine.
- Neutrophil histamine production is regulated by specific agonists and antigens.
- Elevated histamine production by neutrophils may contribute to allergic diseases.
