Effects of metal elements on beta-hexosaminidase release from rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3).

Immediate allergy is caused by a chemical mediator released from basophile and mast cells via cell degranulation due to reaction between an immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, bound with the IgE receptor on the cell membrane, and an antigen. The present authors have established a new method for assaying the enzyme activity of beta-hexosaminidase as an index of chemical mediator release. Using cultured cells instead of conventional methods based on histamine release from mast cells, the present method permits highly accurate mass screening since it uses a well-established cell line of rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3). The effects of metal elements on immediate allergic reaction were evaluated using a newly developed assay system. A total of 38 metal elements were investigated for effects on immediate allergic reactions in vitro. These elements were classified by five types on the basis of action on beta-hexosanimidase release: 1) those which showed very strong inhibitory action, such as ZnCl2 and ZrCl4, 2) those which showed relatively strong inhibitory action, such as CdCl2 and CuCl2, 3) those which showed relatively weak inhibitory action, such as CoCl2 and Pb(NO3)2, 4) those which showed neither inhibitory nor promoting action, such as MnCl2 and SrCl2, and 5) AgNO3, which alone showed promoting action.