PRODUCTION OF INTERLEUKIN 1 (IL1) FROM MONONUCLEAR CELLS STIMULATED WITH FETAL CALF SERUM, MITE ANTIGEN AND LIPOPOLYSACCARIDE-COMPARISON BETWEEN ASTHMATIC CHILDREN AND HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Interleukin 1 (IL1) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) from asthmatic children and healthy individuals was studied. IL1 production was observed, when MNC were cultured in the medium supplemented with fetal calf serum, but not when cultured with human serum of AB blood type. IL1 production in this condition was more prominent in asthmatic children than in healthy controls. This suggested that asthmatic children had more T cells sensitized to the antigens contained in FCS than the controls. When MNC were stimulated with Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the medium with serum of AB blood type, IL1 production was induced in both the patients and the controls in the same degree. More IL1 was produced by MNC cultured with FCS in stimulaion with Df or LPS. These observations suggest that LPS and Df have shown the effect as nonspecific activators rather than as antigens.Induction of IL1 production from MNC by stimulation with calf serum acting as an antigen and with mite preparation acting as an nonspecific activator or antigen suggested that in volvement of IL1 induced by such mechanism in the inflamatory reaction in allergy.