Histamine releasing lymphokines: a new approach to some old problems

Studies carried out in recent years reveal that some endogenous substances can degranulate mast cells and basophils. Lymphokines produced in vitro by T lymphocytes in presence of an antigen or a mitogen, which are capable of provoking histamine liberation in basophils and mast cells have been described. Lastly the mechanisms for histamine release not mediated by IgE in bronchial asthma and which can be mediated by these factors, is discussed.