Characterization of neuropeptide‐induced histamine release from human dispersed skin mast cells

Abstract

Human skin mast cells, unlike other human mast cells so far studied, released histamine in a concentration‐related manner in response to substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and somatostatin (1 μM to 30 μM). In contrast, eledoisin, physalaemin, neurokinin A, neurokinin B, calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), neurotensin, bradykinin and Lys‐bradykinin induced negligible histamine release. The low histamine releasing activity of physalaemin, eledoisin, neurokinin A and neurokinin B relative to substance P suggests that the human skin mast cell activation site is distinct from the tachykinin NK‐1, NK‐2 or NK‐3 receptors described in smooth muscle. The relative potencies of substance P and its fragments SP2–11, SP3–11, SP4–11 and SP1–4 in releasing histamine from human skin mast cells suggests that both the basic N‐terminal amino acids and the lipophilic C‐terminal portion of substance P are essential for activity. Peptide‐induced histamine release, like that induced by compound 48/80, morphine and poly‐L‐lysine, is rapid, reaching completion in 10–20 s, is largely independent of extracellular calcium but requires intact glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. The substance P analogue, [D‐Pro4, D‐Trp7,9,10] SP4–11 (SPA), not only reduced substance P‐induced histamine release in a concentration‐related manner but also inhibited that induced by VIP, somatostatin, compound 48/80, poly‐L‐lysine and morphine but not anti‐IgE. The similar characteristics of histamine release induced by substance P, VIP, somatostatin, compound 48/80, poly‐L‐lysine and morphine suggest that they share a common pathway of activation‐secretion coupling distinct from that of IgE‐dependent activation. Furthermore, the ability of human skin mast cells to respond to basic non‐immunological stimuli including neuropeptides may reflect a specialised function for these cells. 1988 British Pharmacological Society