Abstract
Summary
The lectins Con A and PHA and a mitogenic extract of walnuts released histamine from human leukocytes. Subjects allergic to animal dander and ragweed pollen showed histamine release with Con A and PHA to a degree similar to the control group, suggesting that histamine secretion by lectins was independent of clinical allergy. However, there was a direct correlation between the degree of histamine released from leukocytes by Con A and antiserum to IgE. Concanavalin A may react with a carbohydrate receptor distinct from the antigen binding site of IgE present on the surface of basophiles.
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