Response of nasal ciliated cells of the guinea-pig during allergic reactions in human blood

Nasal mucosal samples from thirty-five guinea-pigs were placed in a chamber, containing the medium RPMI 1640. Ciliary activity (beats.s-1) of the most active cell in each mucosal culture was measured using a photoelectric method. The RPMI 1640 was then replaced by 2 ml of RPMI 1640 and 1 ml of heparinized human blood from a non-allergic patient, with a ragweed-sensitive nasal allergy, or patients with D. farinae-sensitive nasal allergy: the ciliary activity of the same ciliated cell in each culture did not change significantly. We then added 1 micrograms of D. farinae extracts to evoke an in vitro allergic reaction. Ciliary excitation was induced when D. farinae extracts were added to the blood from D. farinae-sensitive subjects but not when added to blood from subjects without sensitivity to D. farinae. The peak and plateau of such an event occurred after 20-30 min. Ciliary stimulations were correlated with D. farinae-induced histamine release from whole blood. Thus, in vitro allergic reactions stimulate activity in cilia from normal nasal mucosa.