THE EFFECT OF GRANULOCYTE FACTOR AND GRASS-POLLEN ALLERGEN ON T-LYMPHOCYTES FROM ATOPIC PATIENTS IN-VITRO

In allergy the immune response is significantly modified by inflammato ry processes. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) are involved in inf lammatory processes. Activated PMNLs release many substances, includin g granulocyte factor (GF), which exerts immunomodulating effects. The present study was performed to determine the effects of allergens and/ or GF on the expression of lymphocyte differentiation antigens in shor t-term cultures and to evaluate the production of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) under the influence of these substances. The studies wer e carried out on peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from pati ents with type I hypersensitivity, before and after the grass pollen s eason, and from healthy subjects. GF and allergens were found to incre ase the CD8 cell number, particularly in 7-day cultures and in patient s before exposure to allergens, which correlated with MIF release in t hese patients under the influence of these factors. The results sugges t that the PMNLs may participate in allergic inflammatory reactions.