[Skin reaction(s) to culture supernatant(s) from Dermatophagoides farinae (Df)-stimulated lymphocytes, and their correlation with Df-induced interleukin 2 responsiveness by lymphocytes from patients with bronchial asthma].

To investigate the inflammatory function of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df)-activated lymphocytes, supernatants from cultures of the lymphocytes were intracutaneously injected into donors' forearms. Injection of the supernatants of Df-stimulated lymphocytes from mite-sensitized atopic individuals with such diseases as bronchial asthma induced a profound inflammatory reaction in the autologous skin, characterized by erythema extending more than 15 mm in mean diameter and edema. The inflammation was at its peak after approximately 20 min, which was followed by gradually re-growing erythema lasting for as long as 24 hours after injection. Supernatants of unstimulated lymphocytes were also capable of inducing the same reaction, indicating the presence of in vivo activated lymphocytes, although the extent of the response was always smaller. The induced response in normal individuals was erythema of less than 15 mm in mean diameter. The supernatants obtained from cultures at 4 degrees C failed to induce such inflammation. The culture supernatants of ovalbumin-restimulated lymphocytes were also incapable of augmenting the response. The combined data show that the production of inflammatory response-inducing factor(s) from Df-stimulated lymphocytes was antigen specific. Significant skin reactions was correlated with the IL2 responsiveness of Df-stimulated lymphocytes. The skin reaction induced by factor(s) derived from Df-stimulated lymphocytes, which might be similar to the bronchial hyperreactivity of patients with bronchial asthma. The in vitro assay for Df-induced IL2 responsiveness by lymphocytes might reflect the in vitro immediate, late and/or delayed type hypersensitivity.