Mediator release from basophilic cells derived from cultured cord blood cells

Mononuclear cells from human umbilical cord blood were separately cultured either in the presence of phorbol ester-phytohemagglutin-leukocyte-conditioned medium (PE-PHA-LCM) or PHA-LCM. Cells cultured in PE-PHA-LCM released histamine following calcium ionophore and compound 48/80 challenge. However, there was a similar histamine release from cells cultured in the presence of PHA-LCM following calcium ionophore but not following compound 48/80 challenge. Neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA), recognized to be one of the markers for mast cell activation, was detected following calcium ionophore and anti-IgE challenge from the supernatant of cells cultured in the presence of PHA-LCM, suggesting unique features in the cells studied.