Effect of disodium cromoglycate on lymphocyte response to antigen and mitogen.

The effect of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) on the three following in vitro correlates of cell-mediated immunity has been studied: (1) Transformation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes after stimulation by an antigen, purified protein derivative and a mitogen, phytohaemagglutinin; (2) release of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and (3) cytotoxic factor production, from these stimulated lymphocytes. At two non-toxic concentrations DSCG did not inhibit these three lymphocyte functions. These results suggest that DSCG's clinical effectiveness does not depend upon modulating cell-mediated immune response. The implications of these findings in relation to present concepts of the cellular action of DSCG and the intracellular control of the initiation of lymphocyte transformation are discussed.