Börje Uvnäs

A PHYSICO–CHEMICAL MODEL OF HISTAMINE RELEASE FROM MAST CELLS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the physico-chemical model of histamine release from mast cells. Mast cells respond with degranulation, and release of histamine to numerous stimuli, physical, and chemical. The chemicals form a very heterogeneous group. No common denominator has been found in their mechanisms of action. The chemical releasers may be divided into two main groups— those which induce an active discharge of histamine, and those which elicit a nonactive release of histamine. To the first group causing an active discharge belong the polymer releasing agents such as antigens, principles in lower animals such as the burning jellyfish, and synthetic compounds such as the polymer amine compound 48/80. The mast cell response to polymer releasers is dependent on factors indicating the process to be the result of a rather intricate mechanism. The response is pH dependent with an optimal pH range around seven. Heating of the mast cell to 45°C for a few minutes makes the cell irreversibly nonresponsive to releasers.