ABSTRACT
The influence of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection on the capability of HRF (Histamine Releasing Factor) generation by rat lymphoid cells in vitro has been studied. Spleen cells and thymocytes of normal and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected rats were cultured in the presence of nonspecific mitogen (PHA) or specific N. brasiliensis antigen (NbAg), and cell-free supernatants fractionated by Sephadex G-75 chromatography were tested on homologous mast cells for histamine releasing activity. The results show that PHA-stimulated lymphoid cells from both normal and infected rats produced a factor releasing histamine from mast cells. Histamine releasing activity was not detected when lymphoid cells of N. brasiliensis-infected rats were cultured in the presence of NbAg. Moreover, supernatants of these cultures diminished HRF-induced histamine release from mast cells, suggesting the production of factor(s) inhibiting this release. This histamine release inhibiting activity was detected in fractions in Sephadex G-75 chromatography of supernatants from the cultures of NbAg-stimulated thymocytes of infected rats.