Abstract
Histamine release from peripheral blood basophils challenged with C5a, f-met-peptides and calcium ionophore was studied in patients with cold urticaria before and after exposure to low environmental temperatures. Compared to healthy controls, stimulated mediator release before cold exposure was increased in 7 of 11 patients. When challenged by cold exposure mediator release from in vitro-stimulated basophils was decreased. This decrease was more pronounced after stimulation with receptor-mediated stimuli (e.g. C5a) as compared to receptor-unrelated stimuli, e.g. calcium ionophore. In 4 of 11 patients stimulated mediator release before cold exposure was moderately increased. Also after cold exposure only a weak decrease of stimulated histamine release was seen. Levels of activated complement components (C3a) before and after cold exposure failed to provide evidence for complement activation in vivo. Also the number of circulating basophils as well as their cellular histamine content remained normal after cold exposure. The results show that in these patients release of histamine is altered before and after cold exposure. These changes in basophil responsiveness are not due to complement activation in vivo.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.