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Complement-Mediated Release of Histamine from Human Leukocytes¹

From the Departments of Medicine, Pediatrics and Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics, University of Texas Medical Branch and Shriners Burns Institute, Galveston, Texas 77550 the Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33152, and Meloy Laboratories Incorporated, Springfield, Virginia 22151

Abstract

Activation of either the alternative or classical pathway of complement generated a factor which induced release of histamine from both non-allergic and allergic human basophils. This factor probably is derived from the complement system since 1) its formation was associated with loss of C3 activity in human serum, 2) chemotactic factor, probably also a complement product, was generated simultaneously, 3) heat inactivation blocked its formation, 4) anti-C3 and anti-C5 blocked formation of the factor, and finally 5) anti-C5 inhibited the activity of the factor once it had been formed. It appears that both complement-mediated and allergen-mediated release of histamine from basophils are secretory, non-cytolytic pathways since both were maximal at 37°C, required the presence of divalent cations, and were inhibited by theophylline. One consistent difference between these two mechanisms was noted: complement-initiated release of histamine occurred more quickly.

Footnotes

¹ This work was supported by the James W. McLaughlin Research Fund.

² Address reprint requests to Dr. Grant, Adult Allergy Section, John Sealy 5C, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77550.