Activation of neutrophils and monocytes after allergen- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction

To determine whether neutrophils and monocytes are activated after allergen-induced asthma, changes in the expression of complement (C3b) receptors were measured by use of the rosette technique. There was a time-dependent increase in the percentages of neutrophil and monocyte rosettes in 13 asthmatic patients for up to 60 min after allergen-inhalation challenge. This was preceded by elevations in the concentrations of serum neutrophil chemotactic activity and reductions in the FEV1. These changes were not observed in seven asthmatic patients who had histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. The present findings support the view that inflammatory cells are activated after allergen-induced asthma and that this may be the result of the release of mast cell-associated mediators rather than the consequence of bronchoconstriction per se.