Enhancement of IgE-mediated histamine release from human basophils by viruses: role of interferon

Since interferon is known to be species specific, the effect of mouse interferon on the release of histamine from human leukocytes was examined (Fig. 7) . Statistical analysis of the histamine release curves by paired t tests showed that mouse interferon produced significantly less enhancement of histamine release (P > 0.01) than human interferon (P < 0.001). (a) supernatant fluids from leukocyte cultures exposed to HSV-1 (320 interferon U/0.1 ml) or PRK control media (<10 interferon U/0.1 ml); (b) poly I:poly C (20 pg/ml); (c) human leukocyte interferon (80 U/0.1 ml) or human fibroblast interferon (100 U/0.1 ml). After 24 h of incubation, leukocytes were challenged with ragweed antigen E and histamine release was determined.