Relationship Between IgE-Mediated Basophil Histamine Releasability and Airway Hyperresponsiveness or Atopy Markers in Atopic Children

Hong, Soo Jong; Chun, Jin Kyong; Kim, Bong Seong; Shim, Jeong Yeon; Cho, Sang Heon; Min, Kyung Up

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Our previous data suggested that IgE-mediated histamine release from basophil was elevated in the atopic asthmatic children. Basophil may play an important role in the development of the IgE-dependent, late phase response in allergen induced airway disease. So the existence of enhanced basophil histamine release in asthma could promote airway reactivity and obstruction. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between IgE-mediated basophil histamine releasability (BHR) and airway hyperresponsiveness or markers of atopy in atopic children.
METHODS
Twelve atopic asthmatics and four healthy atopics who were sensitive to D.p and D.f were selected. Their median age was 11.2 years old, their mean serum IgE level was 897+/-276 IU/mL and mean total eosinophil count was 536+/-71/mm3. Total eosinophil counts, total IgE, D.p and D.f-specific IgE, pulmonary function test, and methacholine provocation test were performed. IgE-mediated basophil histamine release by D.f allergen and goat-antihuman IgE antibody were measured by automated fluorometric assay. The relationship between histamine release and airway hyperresponsiveness or atopic markers was investigated.
RESULTS
PC20 inversely correlated with anti-IgE antibody-mediated BHR (r=-0.50, P<0.05). Serum total IgE concentration correlated with anti-IgE antibody-mediated BHR (r=0.54, P<0.05). Serum concentrations of specific IgE to D.p correlated with anti-IgE antibody-mediated BHR (r=0.66, P<0.05). PC20 correlated correlated with FEF25-75% (r=0.75, P<0.05) and inversely with the total eosinophil counts (r=-0.69, P< 0.01).
CONCLUSION
IgE-mediated basophil histamine releasability is inversely correlated with airway hyperresponsiveness, and correlated with total or specific-IgE in atopic children. These findings suggest that basophil histamine releasability is easy and useful method of diagnosis and monitoring response to treatment in atopic disease.