Studies on the role of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma Part 2. Production of eosinophil chemotactic factor by peripheral blood mononuclear cells incubated with Candida antigen

The role of the eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma was studied. Bronchial asthma in childhood is characterized by its atopic history and such an asthmatic attack is induced by house dust or mite antigen through the type I allergic reaction. The lymphocytes found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid have high responsiveness to Candida antigen. This suggests the participation of the type IV allergic reaction in the pathogenesis of asthmatic attack. Eosinophilic granulocyte infiltration in the lungs during the asthmatic attack was evaluated by measuring ECF activity produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells incubated with Candida antigen. Chemotactic and chemokinetic activities to eosinophilic granulocytes were present in the supernatant, and basophilic granulocyte deletion did not change such chemotactic activity. High ECF production was observed in non-atopic asthmatics and in severe but non-steroid-dependent asthmatics. ECF may be produced at least in part from the lymphocyte blastogenic response to Candida antigen and may have some effect on the pathogenesis of non-atopic and severe asthmatics.