Enhanced releasability of prostaglandin E₂ and leukotrienes B₄ and C₄ from leukocytes of patients with atopic eczema

The releasability of arachidonic acid-derived inflammatory mediators (eicosanoids) from peripheral blood leukocytes has been tested in patients with atopic eczema and healthy, non-atopic controls. Spontaneous and stimulated release of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄) has been measured after challenge of cells with various concentrations of anti-IgE, Ca-ionophore A23187 and C5a. The maximal stimulation of cells with Ca-ionophore resulted in the generation of high amounts of all eicosanoids, which was essentially equal in both atopic and control groups. On the other hand, enhanced spontaneous and stimulated eicosanoid release was noted after immunological challenge using C5a and anti-IgE in the atopic eczema group. Thus, our data support the hypothesis of enhanced releasability of inflammatory mediators in atopic eczema.