Effect of disodium cromoglycate on inflammatory cells bearing the Fc epsilon receptor type II (Fc epsilon RII).

Disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) has well-established stabilizing properties on mast cells and basophils. However, the potential inhibitory effect of DSCG has been little demonstrated on the IgE stimulation of cell populations expressing epsilon receptors type II, (Fc epsilon RII), such as mononuclear phagocytes, eosinophils or platelets. Therefore, using various parameters of IgE-mediated triggering, we demonstrated the inhibitory role of DSCG on: (i) the release of neutrophil chemotactic factor by human alveolar macrophages, (ii) the oxygen metabolite-dependent chemiluminescence of human alveolar macrophages, rat peritonal macrophages, human eosinophils, human and rat platelets, and (iii) the beta-glucuronidase release and synthesis by human alveolar macrophages. The inhibition of IgE-dependent stimulation ranged from 60% to 80%, according to the cells and to the measured parameter. It could therefore be considered that the action of DSCG was not restricted to its effects on mast cells and basophils, but also on other cells expressing Fc epsilon R leading to a potential reduction of the physiopathological consequences of allergic asthma and, possibly, of the late phase reaction sometimes associated with the disease, insofar as these cells are involved.