Basophil mediators and their release, with emphasis on BK-A.

During IgE-mediated events, basophils secrete small molecular weight mediators (histamine, slow reacting substance, Eosinophil chemotactic factor) which are thought to participate in inflammatory processes. We here describe the IgE-mediated secretion of large molecular weight mediators which have the potential for the activation of the Hageman factor dependent pathways, and the generation of biologically active peptides. These large molecular weight basophil derived mediators may, through the activation of the Hageman factor dependent pathways, influence mechanisms which participate in both acute and chronic cell-mediated inflammatory processes. We suggest that these proteases may participate not only as mediators of the immediate hypersensitivity reaction, but may also function in important aspects of the entire inflammatory response.