Action of the human lymphokine histamine releasing factor on mouse peritoneal mast cells

Histamine releasing factor (HRF)--a human lymphokine--has been shown previously to release histamine from basophils in vitro. In this paper we show that HRF acted across the species barrier and released histamine from mouse peritoneal mast cells. This response was dose-dependent. Mast cells from both sensitized and non-sensitized mice were equally susceptible to the action of HRF. We observed synergistic action of HRF with specific allergen (ovalbumin) or HRF with anti-IgE antibody in releasing histamine from mast cells. Preincubation of mast cells with calcium ion chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or disodium cromoglycate induces only a small inhibition of histamine release caused by HRF. We conclude that histamine release from mouse peritoneal mast cells can serve as an in vitro test for the assay of human HRF.