Human mast cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage: their morphology, histamine release and the effects of sodium cromoglycate

Abstract

Mast cells make up between 0.5 and 3% (mean 1.35%) of total cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The majority of these cells have the morphological characteristics of mucosal mast cells in that they fail to stain in the alcian blue-safranin reaction after fixation in formol-saline but stain well after fixation in Carnoy's solution. Cells staining with berberine sulphate were seen in only four of the 26 lavages. BAL cells released histamine in response to anti-human immunoglobulin E (IgE) in a dose-dependent manner that was optimal at a dilution of anti-IgE of 1:100. Maximum release was obtained by 2 min. Histamine release was completely inhibited by a combination of 2-deoxyglucose (5 mmol/l) and antimycin A (1 mumol/l). Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) significantly inhibited this histamine release at 1 mmol/l (P less than 0.02), 100 mumol/l (P less than 0.002) and 10 mumol/l (P less than 0.003), with maximum inhibition of 50.1% at 10 mumol/l.

Mast Cells in Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Sarcoidosis: Correlation with Alveolar Lymphocytes

“…This finding would appear to confirm the experimental data on a subpopulation of T-dependent MC (mucosal MC) [4,17]. These appear to be present in the alveolar spaces, as has been suggested by some au thors on the basis of the staining charac teristics [15,16,18]. Therefore, the MC may be present in T-cell-mediated immu nological reactions, and therefore in several different pathological situations, and not only in sarcoidosis.…”

Probability of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Calculated From Brain Ultrasound Appearance in Very Preterm Infants

“…These cells would come into immediate contact with inhaled antigens and release their mediators directly onto the airway surface. Such superficially located mast cells may br ecovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and their properties have been studied in some detail (5)(6)(7). In this context, it is important to appreciate that mast cells from different sources, and even from varying locations within a given tissue, may exhibit a marked heterogeneity in their functional properties (8).…”

Effects of IZP‐94005 (contignasterol) on antigen‐induced bronchial responsiveness in ovalbumin‐sensitized guinea‐pigs

“…This is now thought to involve specifically bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) mast cells (Flint et al, 1985), and disodium cromoglycate may also prevent IgE receptor binding to other inflammatory cells including macrophages and eosinophils. Mast cells play a pivotal role in many of the events leading to regulation of airway smooth muscle contraction, by releasing mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes and prostanoids.…”