[Histamine release from human leukocytes after treatment with 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine...

The influence of 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, a platelet activating factor (PAF), and its structural analogs--1-acyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-(1'-alkenyl)-glycero-3-phosphocholine--on the histamine release from human leukocytes of healthy and allergic individuals was investigated. It was found that within the concentration range of 10(-10) to 10(-7) M PAF and its analogs induce a moderate histamine release from the leukocytes. However, at higher concentrations (greater than 10(-7) M) PAF induces an enhanced release of histamine from the leukocytes of allergic patients as compared to healthy individuals. PAF and its analogs significantly potentiate the allergens-induced release of histamine from the leukocytes of allergic patients. It was assumed that PAF induces the expression or demasking of additional numbers of IgE receptors on the surface of basophils, which leads tot he stimulation of histamine release from the leukocytes in the presence of allergens.