Comparison of mechanisms of IL-3 induced histamine release and IL-3 priming effect on human basophils

We have investigated the mechanisms by which interleukin-3 (IL-3) induces histamine release and primes basophils for increased histamine release in response to anti-IgE- and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). The responsiveness of basophils from atopic donors was variable, only 5/11 subjects showing release of > 10%, to IL-3 in the range 0.1-100 ng/ml. IL-3-induced histamine release required both extracellular Ca2+ and cell membrane IgE, removal of membrane IgE by lactate stripping or desensitization of basophils by incubation with anti-IgE in a Ca2+-free medium blocking IL-3-induced histamine release. IL-3 also primed basophils for histamine release by anti-IgE and fMLP in the same concentration range as it evoked histamine release. When IL-3 and either anti-IgE or fMLP were combined, the result was additive or supra-additive depending on the basophil donor. Unlike IL-3-evoked histamine release, IL-3 priming of basophils for fMLP-induced histamine release was shown to be independent of the presence of both cell surface IgE and of extracellular calcium. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, staurosporine (10 nM), inhibited anti-IgE induced histamine release, but neither IL-3 induced histamine release nor IL-3 priming of IgE- and fMLP-induced histamine release. Pertussis toxin (1.0 microg/ml) inhibited fMLP-induced histamine release but not anti-IgE-induced histamine release, IL-3-evoked histamine release or IL-3 priming. These results indicate that IL-3 modulates mediator release from human basophils by two mechanisms; a direct release of histamine which involves cell surface IgE and the influx of extracellular calcium but which is unlikely to proceed by the same mechanism as cross-linkage of IgE, and a priming effect which is independent of IgE and extracellular Ca2+ and which enhances the secretory effects of a wide range of unrelated secretagogues.     

Ca2+ influx-mediated histamine synthesis and IL-6 release in mast cells activated by monomeric IgE

We previously demonstrated that histamine synthesis is drastically induced upon sensitization with an anti-DNP IgE clone, SPE-7, in IL-3-dependent mouse bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMC). We found that Ca2+ mobilization induced by SPE-7 exhibited a similar profile to the capacitative Ca2+ entry evoked by thapsigargin. Potentials for activation of mast cells were found to vary between different IgE clones, and a monovalent hapten, DNP-lysine, suppressed the activation induced by SPE-7. Ca2+ mobilization induced by SPE-7 was suppressed potently by the specific store-operated Ca2+ channel inhibitor, SK&F 96365, but not at all by Ca2+ channel inhibitors with more broad spectrum, La3+ and Gd3+, whereas the Ca2+ mobilization induced by Ag stimulation was suppressed by these inhibitors. Ca2+ mobilization was also induced by SPE-7 in in vitro differentiated mast cells, although the increases in histamine synthesis and IL-6 release were smaller than those in BMMC. These results suggest that Ca2+ influx operated by a distinct mechanism from that in Ag stimulation is essential for increased histamine synthesis and IL-6 release in mast cells.     

Protein kinase Cdelta functions downstream of Ca2+ mobilization in FcepsilonRI signaling to degranulation in mast cells

BACKGROUND: Mobilization of Ca 2+ plays an important role in the degranulation of mast cells. Although events upstream of Ca 2+ mobilization in the regulation of degranulation are relatively well characterized, the downstream mediators of Ca 2+ remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize the downstream signaling mechanism by which Ca 2+ mobilization mediates degranulation in antigen-stimulated mast cells. METHODS: The effect of various inhibitors was examined in the antigen-induced or Ca 2+ ionophore A23187-induced degranulation process, and the effect of inhibitors on histamine release was tested in the mouse model of asthma. RESULTS: The delta isoform of protein kinase C (PKC) functions downstream of Ca 2+ in the signaling pathway from FcepsilonRI to degranulation in RBL-2H3 mast cells. Stimulation of cells with either antigen or the Ca 2+ ionophore A23187 induced a rapid translocation of PKC-delta from the cytosol to the cellular membranes, and either treatment with the PKC-delta-specific inhibitor rottlerin or infection with an adenovirus encoding a dominant negative mutant of PKC-delta markedly inhibited degranulation induced with antigen or A23187. Furthermore, both the translocation of PKC-delta and degranulation induced by A23187 were inhibited by prevention of the accumulation of reactive oxygen species normally elicited by the ionophore. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of rottlerin prevented the increase in the concentration of histamine in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid induced by means of antigen challenge in a mouse model of allergic asthma. conclusion: PKC-delta plays an essential downstream mediatory role in the degranulation elicited by Ca 2+ mobilization, and reactive oxygen species mediate the activation of PKC-delta by Ca 2+ in the regulation of degranulation.     

The K+ channel iKCA1 potentiates Ca2+ influx and degranulation in human lung mast cells

BACKGROUND: Human lung and blood-derived mast cells express a Ca2+-activated K+ channel (KCA) that has electrophysiological properties resembling the intermediate conductance KCA (iKCA1). This channel is predicted to enhance IgE-dependent mast cell responses. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the identity of this channel as iKCA1 in human lung mast cells and to examine the effect of an iKCA1 opener, 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO), on Ca2+ influx and degranulation after IgE-dependent activation. METHODS: iKCA1 expression was examined by using RT-PCR. Ion currents were measured by using the patch clamp technique in human peripheral blood-derived mast cells, freshly isolated human lung mast cells (HLMCs), and long-term cultured HLMCs (LTHLMCs). Currents were manipulated with the specific iKCA1 opener 1-EBIO and the iKCA1 blockers clotrimazole and TRAM-34. Ratiometric Ca2+ imaging was performed on single fura-2-loaded cells, and histamine release was measured by radioenzymatic assay. RESULTS: Both fresh HLMCs and LTHLMCs expressed iKCA1 mRNA. The iKCA1 opener 1-EBIO induced iKCA1 currents in 89% of human peripheral blood-derived mast cells, 12% of fresh HLMCs, and 67% of LTHLMCs, which were blocked by the iKCA1 blockers clotrimazole and TRAM-34. After cell activation with a suboptimal concentration of anti-IgE, 1-EBIO enhanced the IgE-dependent rise in cytosolic-free Ca2+ and potentiated IgE-dependent histamine release. CONCLUSION: Opening of iKCA1 enhances IgE-dependent Ca2+ influx and histamine release in HLMCs. Inhibition of iKCA1 may provide a novel approach to the treatment of mast cell-mediated disease.     

Pharmacologic modulation of the IgE or Ca2+ ionophore A23187 mediated Ca2+ influx, phospholipase activation, and histamine release in rat basophilic leukemia cells

The stimulation of the rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) mediated either through the IgE receptor or by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 results in 45Ca2+ influx, phospholipase activation, and histamine release. This study compared in parallel the effects of pharmacological agents on 45Ca2+ influx, phospholipase activation as measured by the release of [14C]-arachidonic acid, and histamine release. Microtubule-depolymerizing agents (demecolcine, colchicine, and vinblastine sulfate) did not affect 45Ca2+ influx, but blocked the IgE- or A23187-mediated [14C]-arachidonic acid and histamine release (e.g., IC50 for vinblastine sulfate = 10 nM). In contrast, a microtubule-stabilizing agent (taxol) blocked the IgE- and A23187-mediated 45Ca2+ influx and [14C]-arachidonic acid and histamine release (IC50 = 20 microM). Microfilament-disrupting agents (cytochalasin B, C, D, and E) enhanced 45Ca2+ influx and [14C]-arachidonic acid and histamine release in the same dose-dependent fashion (e.g., EC50 for cytochalasin B = 0.4 microM). Other pharmacological agents such as a metabolic inhibitor (antimycin A), calmodulin inhibitors (W-7, trifluoperazine, and chlorpromazine), and protease inhibitors (TPCK and TLCK) blocked the IgE- and A23187-mediated 45Ca2+ influx and [14C]-arachidonic acid and histamine release. Therefore, the coupling of Ca2+ influx and the phospholipase activation step requires a functioning microtubule system. Other inhibitors act at sites prior to the Ca2+ influx step in the release process.     

Effects of protein kinase C and phospholipase C inhibitors on IgE-dependent and IgE-independent basophil histamine release

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of two protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors (staurosporine and chelerythrine) and one phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor (U73122) on basophil histamine release induced by anti-IgE, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), IL-3 and GM-CSF. METHODS: Leukocytes were suspended in solutions containing physiological or low Na+ concentrations, since IL-3 and GM-CSF were shown to induce histamine release only when the inhibitory effect of extracellular Na+ has been removed. After incubation with PKC and PLC inhibitors, the stimuli were added and histamine release was measured by an automated fluorometric method. RESULTS: Staurosporine and chelerythrine exerted a significant inhibitory effect on histamine release induced by anti-IgE, IL-3 and GM-CSF at concentrations much higher than those required to inhibit PKC. FMLP-induced histamine release in a physiological Na+-containing medium was not significantly modified by staurosporine, although it was reduced by high concentrations of chelerythrine. A slight inhibition by high concentrations of staurosporine was found when basophils were suspended in a low Na+ medium. U73122 exerted a significant and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on basophil histamine release induced by anti-IgE, FMLP, IL-3 and GM-CSF. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a prodegranulatory role of PKC in basophil histamine release induced by anti-IgE, FMLP, IL-3 and GM-CSF is unlikely; conversely, it is conceivable that PLC has a role in signal transduction and histamine release induced by the above stimuli.     

The characterization of tyrosine phosphorylation of 78 and 92 kDa proteins in rat basophilic RBL-2H3 cells

Previously, we have demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of 78 and 92 kDa proteins in rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) is involved in a signal transduction system for high-affinity IgE receptor (FcRI)-mediated histamine secretion. However, it is not clarified whether the tyrosine phosphorylation of 78 and 92 kDa proteins in RBL-2H3 cells is regulated by activation of protein kinase C (PKC) or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase). In this study, therefore, the effect of depletion of PKC in RBL-2H3 cells, or the influence of PKC, PI3-kinase and tyrosine kinase inhibitors on histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells was examined. The elimination of PKC in RBL-2H3 cells induced significant suppression of histamine release, although the tyrosine phosphorylation of 78 and 92 kDa proteins was not inhibited. The inhibition of histamine release was also observed by the treatment with a PKC inhibitor such as H-7, calphostin C, a PI3-kinase inhibitor such as wortmannin or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as ST638, genistein, hervimycin A, although the tyrosine phosphorylation of both proteins was inhibited by only ST638. These results suggest that the 78 kDa protein in RBL-2H3 cells is not identical to the protein-tyrosine kinase PTK72 and the tyrosine phosphorylation of 78 and 92 kDa proteins in RBL-2H3 cells occurs upstream of PKC and PI3-kinase activation or is regulated independently of the PKC- and PI3-kinase-dependent signaling pathway.accepted by M. Katori     

Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits prostaglandin D2 generation by inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase-2 in cultured human mast cells

BACKGROUND: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is catalysed by cyclo-oxygenase (COX), as is arachidonic acid, and is a competitive inhibitor of arachidonate metabolism. OBJECTIVES: We examined the effect of EPA on prostaglandin (PG) D2 generation in the cultured human mast cells with IgE-anti-IgE challenge incubation. METHODS: Cultured human mast cells were incubated with EPA (1 micromol/L) for 20 h, then challenged with anti-IgE incubation after treatment with IgE. At the same time, COX inhibitors were tested to identify COX-1 and COX-2 activity. PGD2 synthetic activity was also assayed in a cell-free homogenate of cultured mast cells with COX inhibitors and EPA. Histamine in the culture medium and in cells was assayed with the HPLC-fluorescent method. PGD2 and PGD3 were assayed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the stable isotope dilution method. RESULTS: Although EPA incubation did not affect histamine release by cultured human mast cells in response to IgE-anti-IgE challenge incubation, it did decrease PGD2 generation by inhibiting the COX-2 pathway. In contrast, in the cell-free homogenate of cultured human mast cells, EPA inhibited both COX-1 and COX-2 activities. CONCLUSION: Pre-incubation with EPA primarily affects the COX-2 pathway in cultured human mast cells and reduces PGD2 generation in response to IgE-anti-IgE challenge incubation. These findings suggest that COX-1 and COX-2 have different substrate flow systems in mast cells. They also suggest that endogenous EPA diet supplementation would reduce PGD2 production and could serve as an anti-inflammatory substrate in human mast cells.     

Differential effects of antioxidants and indomethacin on compound 48/80 induced histamine release and Ca2+ uptake in rat mast cells

The effect of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), vitamin E, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and indomethacin on histamine release and Ca2+ uptake in rat mast cells stimulated with compound 48/80 was studied. NDGA inhibited both the release of histamine and Ca2+ uptake in stimulated cells; however, there was no correlation between inhibition of Ca2+ uptake and the amount of histamine release. At a concentration of 5 microM, NDGA completely inhibited Ca2+ uptake, while histamine release was decreased by less than 50%. BHT (50 microM) inhibited both the Ca2+ uptake and histamine release. On the other hand, vitamin E (50 microM) inhibited histamine release by 70% without impairment in Ca2+ uptake. In the absence of the stimulus, vitamin E increased the cell-associated Ca2+; however, it had no effect on spontaneous release of histamine. Indomethacin (3 microM) inhibited Ca2+ uptake in stimulated cells by 50%, but did not affect the release of histamine. The results suggest that a part of Ca2+-influx may not be related to the coupled activation--secretion response and that lipid peroxidation through the lipoxygenase pathway may be involved in secretion of histamine from mast cells.     

Histamine release from fawn-hooded rat mast cells is not potentiated by phosphatidylserine.

Histamine release from the peritoneal mast cells of the Fawn-hooded rat strain is not potentiated by phosphatidylserine (PS) or lysophosphatidylserine (Lyso-PS). When compared with Wistar rats the Fawn-hooded rats produce normal levels of IgE. Except for not being potentiated, the mast cells of Fawn-hooded rats release histamine similarly to Wistar rats when challenged with a variety of IgE and non-IgE mediated inducing agents. Mast cells of Fawn-hooded rats, however, do not respond significantly to dextran challenge which is not improved by PS of Lyso-PS. In the absence of PS the Ca2+ dependence of release from the Fawn-hooded mast cells is similar to the Wistar strain and both are similarly altered in their Ca2+ dependence by the presence of PS; with PS the mast cells of both rat strains release maximum percentages of histamine at levels of Ca2+ which are inhibitory in the absence of PS. The kinetics of release is similar in the two strains. However, when the mast cells are challenged with inducing agent in the absence of Ca2+ the rate of desensitization is slowed by PS in the Wistar strain but not the Fawn-hooded strain.     

A dominant role for chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on T helper type 2 (Th2) cells (CRTH2) in mediating chemotaxis of CRTH2+ CD4+ Th2 lymphocytes in response to mast cell supernatants

Human cultured mast cells, immunologically activated with immunoglobuin E (IgE)/anti-IgE, released a factor(s) that promoted chemotaxis of human CRTH2+ CD4+ T helper type 2 (Th2) lymphocytes. Mast cell supernatants collected at 20 min, 1 hr, 2 hr and 4 hr after activation caused a concentration-dependent increase in the migration of Th2 cells. The effect of submaximal dilutions of mast-cell-conditioned media was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by ramatroban (IC50 = 96 nm), a dual antagonist of both the thromboxane-like prostanoid (TP) receptor and the chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2), but not by the selective TP antagonist SQ29548, implicating CRTH2 in mediating the chemotactic response of these Th2 cells. The effect of mast-cell-conditioned media was mimicked by prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and this eicosanoid was detected in the conditioned media from activated mast cells in concentrations sufficient to account for the activity of the mast cell supernatants. Treatment of the mast cells with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor diclofenac (10 microm) inhibited both the production of PGD2 and the CRTH2+ CD4+ Th2-stimulatory activity, while addition of exogenous PGD2 to conditioned media from diclofenac-treated mast cells restored the ability of the supernatants to promote chemotaxis of these Th2 cells. The degree of inhibition caused by diclofenac treatment of the mast cells was concordant with the degree of inhibition of chemotactic responses afforded by CRTH2 blockade. These data suggest that PGD2, or closely related metabolites of arachidonic acid, produced from mast cells may play a central role in the activation of CRTH2+ CD4+ Th2 lymphocytes through a CRTH2-dependent mechanism.     

Human eosinophils induce histamine release from antigen-activated rat peritoneal mast cells: a possible role for mast cells in late-phase allergic reactions

BACKGROUND: Mast cells and eosinophils are believed to interact during the late and the chronic stages of allergic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: In this study we investigated whether eosinophils can cause activation and consequent histamine release of already challenged mast cells, a situation likely to take place during the allergic late-phase reaction. METHODS: Rat peritoneal mast cells presensitized with IgE anti-dinitrophenol-human serum albumin and challenged by dinitrophenol-human serum albumin or compound 48/80 were incubated with either eosinophil sonicate or major basic protein (MBP). Eosinophils were purified from the peripheral (>98%) blood of mildly allergic patients. Heparin and pertussis toxin and different extracellular Ca(2+) concentrations were used to modulate mast cell reactivation by MBP. Histamine release was assessed as a marker of mast cell activation. RESULTS: IgE-challenged mast cells were sensitive to reactivation induced by eosinophil sonicate and MBP. Reactivation was not cytotoxic for the mast cells. Mast cells previously challenged with compound 48/80 did not respond to subsequent MBP activation. Furthermore, heparin and pertussis toxin both inhibited mast cell reactivation induced by MBP. The ability of eosinophil sonicate and MBP to activate mast cells was not significantly affected at the different Ca(2+) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we have shown a direct activating activity of eosinophils, partially due to MBP, toward IgE-challenged and immunologically desensitized mast cells. This suggests that in vivo mast cells can be reactivated during a late-phase reaction to release histamine by a non-IgE-dependent mechanism.     

Kinetics of the inhibitory effect of flavonoids on histamine secretion from mast cells

The effect of cromoglycate and of natural flavonoids on histamine release from peritoneal rat mast cells induced by compound 48/80 and ionophore A23187 was studied according to preincubation time of mast cells with drugs and to incubation time of cells with the triggering agent. Preincubation of cells with cromoglycate, dihydroquercetin and amentoflavone, a biflavonoid, decreased the potency of drugs to inhibit the ionophore-induced release; the optimal inhibitions were observed when drugs were added simultaneously with the ionophore A23187. In contrast, a short preincubation (2 min) of cells with quercetin or luteolin decreased their inhibitory effect on the ionophore-induced release, whereas a longer preincubation increased the inhibition. When compound 48/80 was used to trigger histamine secretion, the inhibitory potencies of all the compounds used were decreased according to preincubation time. Dihydroquercetin (taxifolin), previously considered as inactive, showed an interesting cromoglycate-like behaviour.     

Identification of the Syk kinase inhibitor R112 by a human mast cell screen

BACKGROUND: Activation of the IgE receptor, FcvarepsilonRI, in mast cells is the key mechanism initiating and propagating pathophysiological responses in allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: Identify and characterize a small molecule inhibitor of IgE-dependent mast cell activation for the treatment of allergic diseases. METHODS: A cell-based high-throughput screen for small molecules that block IgE signaling was performed in cultured human mast cells. A potent inhibitor, referred to as R112, was selected and characterized by using biochemical and cell-based assays. R112 effects on IgE-dependent degranulation and cytokine production was measured in mast cells and basophils and compared with other mast cell inhibitors. RESULTS: R112 inhibited degranulation induced by anti-IgE cross-linking in mast cells (tryptase release, effective concentration for 50% inhibition [EC(50)] = 353 nmol/L) or basophils (histamine release, EC(50) = 280 nmol/L), and by allergen (dust mite) in basophils (histamine release, EC(50) = 490 nmol/L). R112 also blocked leukotriene C4 production and all proinflammatory cytokines tested. Subsequent molecular characterization indicated that R112 is an ATP-competitive spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitor (inhibitory constant [K(i)] = 96 nmol/L). Its onset of action was immediate, and the inhibition was reversible. Incubation of mast cells with R112 showed that cytokine production in mast cells was dependent on sustained activation of the FcvarepsilonRI-Lyn-spleen tyrosine kinase pathway. Unlike other mast cell inhibitors, R112 was able to completely inhibit all three IgE-induced mast cell functions: degranulation, lipid mediator production, and cytokine production. CONCLUSION: R112 potently, completely, and rapidly abrogated all mast cell activation cascades triggered by IgE receptor cross-linking. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: R112 and its analogues offer a new modality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.     

Regulation of ionomycin-mediated granule release from rat basophil leukemia cells

Cross-linking the high affinity IgE receptor on the rat basophil leukemia clone 2H3 (RBL-2H3) cell line, an vitro model for mast cell signaling, results in granule release. A great deal of research has focused on the earliest steps in this signaling cascade resulting in models which include the participation of lyn, syk, phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC) and intracellular calcium mobilization. In an effort to look at pathways downstream of calcium mobilization, ionomycin-mediated granule release was studied. The kinase inhibitors PP1 (src family), GF109203X (PKC), PD98059 (MEK1/2), and U0126 (MEK1/2) substantially inhibited ionomycin-mediated granule release, while the p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 did not. Both p38 and erk were phosphorylated upon ionomycin treatment, but only extracellular regulated kinase (erk) activation was completely inhibited by PP1 treatment and partially inhibited by the MEK inhibitors, thus, correlating with the granule release data. Interestingly, while GF109203X alone had no affect on erk activation, combining it with U0126 completely blocked this response. This suggests the existence an alternate pathway for erk activation that is MEK independent and PKC dependent. Experiments in which ionomycin and PP1 were titrated (independently) demonstrated a correlation between erk phosphorylation and granule release, implicating erk in a PP1-inhibitable pathway operating downstream of calcium and controlling mast cell degranulation.     

Quercetin inhibits anaphylactic contraction of guinea pig ileum smooth muscle

Certain flavonoids inhibit antigen-induced release of histamine from mast cells and basophils and also inhibit contraction of guinea pig ileum induced by histamine, acetylcholine, and PGE2. We examined the effect of one flavonoid, quercetin, on anaphylactic smooth muscle contraction of ileum from guinea pigs sensitized to egg albumin. Quercetin inhibited both the phasic and tonic components of anaphylactic contraction in a concentration-dependent fashion (IC50 approximately 10 microM). Whether this is primarily an effect on mast cell mediator release or inhibition of mediator effects on smooth muscle has not been established.     

Co-cultivation of mast cells and FcɛRIα+ dendritic-like cells from human hip bone marrow

BACKGROUND: Mast cells contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and allergy through the release of a plethora of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Their study is hampered by the difficult access to human tissue samples. Human mast cells have been cultured from CD34+ progenitors in the bone marrow of normal volunteers following iliac crest bone marrow biopsy but this is invasive. Hip bone marrow could provide a more convenient less invasive source of mast cell progenitors. OBJECTIVE: To characterize mast cells cultured from human bone marrow obtained at routine hip surgery. METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from the bone marrow reamings of patients undergoing routine hip replacement surgery and were cultured with recombinant stem cell factor (SCF), IL-6 and IL-10. Cell surface markers were examined using flow cytometry, protease expression monitored using immunohistochemistry, histamine measured by radioenzymic assay, Ca2+ responses analysed using ratiometric Ca2+ imaging, and ion currents recorded via the patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: Mast cells were absent at baseline, but accounted for 65 +/- 7% of cells after 8-12 weeks of culture, equating to a mean 0.6 +/- 0.14 x 10(6) mast cells per culture. Fifty-three percent of tryptase+ cells also contained chymase. The remaining cells comprised a population of large CD1a+ HLA-DR+ and Fc epsilon RI alpha+ cells, most likely dendritic cells. All mast cells expressed CD117 and the high-affinity IgE receptor alpha-chain (Fc epsilon RI alpha) constitutively, and developed a Ca2+ response following IgE-dependent activation. These cells exhibited 7.8 +/- 2.9% net IgE-dependent histamine release, and demonstrated a similar ion channel profile to human lung mast cells. In particular, the intermediate conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel opened following IgE-dependent activation. CONCLUSIONS: Mast cells grown from human hip marrow provide a rich non-invasive source of functionally mature mast cells. In addition, this culture system may be useful for the generation of Fc epsilon RI alpha+ dendritic cells.     

Study of the activation mechanism of adriamycin on rat mast cells

Adriamycin (ADR) induces nonimmunological and noncytotoxic histamine release from peritoneal and pleural rat mast cells. This secretion is unaffected by the pretreatment with pertussis toxin, cholera toxin and benzalkonium chloride. Histamine release induced by compound 48/80, was markedly inhibited by pertussis toxin, cholera toxin, benzalkonium chloride and neuraminidase. The ADR dose-response curve is significantly shifted to the right when cells were preincubated with the unspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX. The activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with the phorbol esther TPA increases the response to ADR, while PKC inhibition with trifluoperazine decreases histamine release. The pretreatment of mast cells with okadaic acid did not modify the response to ADR. these results suggests that ADR elicits histamine release with a mechanism notably different from compound 48/80.     

Pathogenesis of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

The underlying respiratory disease is activated by unknown mechanism and results in an intense infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils into the entire respiratory mucosa. These cells synthesize leukotrienes (LTs) at a very high rate and mast cells also release histamine and tryptase and synthesize PGD₂ a vasodilator and bronchoconstrictor. Furthermore, AERD patients under synthesize from arachidonic acid (AA) a peculiar product called lipoxins, which opposes inflammation generated by leukotrienes. Finally, cysLT₁ receptors are over expressed and highly responsive to LTE₄, further augmenting the underlying inflammatory disease. This inflammatory condition is partly inhibited by synthesis of PGE₂ through COX-1. PGE₂ partially inhibits 5-lipogygenase conversion of AA to LTA₄ and blocks release of histamine and tryptase from mast cells. When COX-1 is inhibited by ASA or NSAIDs, PGE₂ synthesis stops and an enormous release of histamine and synthesis of LTs occurs. The upper respiratory reaction is mediated by both histamine and LTs but the bronchospastic reaction is mediated by LTs. The systemic effects of flush, gastric pain and hives are mediated by histamine. Aspirin desensitization can not be explained by disappearance of LT synthesis since urine LTE₄ levels are still elevated at acute ASA desensitization. However, mast cell products such as histamine, tryptase and PGD₂ are no longer released or synthesized at acute desensitization. It is more likely that a diminution in number or function of cysLT receptors accounts for the diminished inflammatory response found in ASA desensitization.     

Regulatory role of extracellular Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions in nerve growth factor induced histamine secretion from rat mast cells

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: This study was aimed to investigate effects of extracellular Na+ and Ca2+ ions on nerve growth factor (NGF) induced histamine release from mast cells. MATERIAL: Isolated peritoneal mast cells were obtained from male Wistar rats. METHODS: Cells were suspended in solution with different concentration of Na+ and Ca2+ ions and stimulated with NGF. Histamine release was assayed spectrofluorometrically. RESULTS: NGF (0.001-1 microg/ml) dose-dependently releases histamine from mast cell at physiological extracellular Na+ (134 mM) and Ca2+ (1 mM) conditions. Lowering extracellular Ca2+ ions to 0.1 mM reduced histamine response to nearly basal level. However, the removal of extracellular Na+ ions significantly enhanced the secretion provoked by NGF (0.6 microg/ml) in low Ca2+ medium. Amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/Ca2+ and Na/H+ exchangers inhibited the potentiating effect of sodium free conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the activity of Na+/Ca2+ and/or Na+/H+ exchange mechanisms could be of particular importance in the secretory process of mast cells induced by NGF.