Neutrophil chemotactic activity released in supernatants of human leukocytes challenged with antigens or anti-human IgE.

Neutrophil chemotactic activity was released into the supernatants of leukocytes from atopic individuals challenged with rabbit anti-human IgE, ragweed, or Aspergillus fumigatus antigen and from nonatopic individuals only on challenge with anti-IgE. Using a recently reported procedure for removing IgE from basophil receptors, it was possible to passively sensitize leukocytes from nonatopic individuals with plasma from atopic donors and to convert nonreleaser cells to cells releasing neutrophil chemotactic activity specifically. Histamine release measured in the same supernatants of immunologically challenged cells correlated with neutrophil chemotactic activity release, consistent with the interpretation that basophils and IgE mediation are involved in this phenomenon. The neutrophil chemotactic activity was not caused by histamine released from basophils. Activity persisted after incubation at 56 degrees C for 30 minutes. Chemokinetic activity was also present in the supernatants, because migration was not inhibited completely in the absence of a gradient.