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Inhibition of histamine secretion from mast cells

Abstract

Histamine secretion from mast cells may be inhibited by elevated intracellular levels of cyclic AMP and by several antiallergic drugs1–3. These compounds are claimed to act directly on the calcium-gating mechanism activated by the anaphylactic reaction, preventing influx of Ca2+ from the external environment and so blocking exocytosis4–7. To examine this hypothesis further, we have compared here the histamine secretion induced by immunoglobulin E-directed ligands in the presence and absence of added calcium and by the ionophore A23187. Exocytosis evoked by these former agents was originally considered to be almost totally dependent on extracellular calcium8,9 but recent studies have shown otherwise10–14. In the absence of added cation, the agents act by mobilizing membrane-bound or intracellular stores of calcium10–12. We show here that a variety of anti-allergic drugs are potent inhibitors in the conditions used, suggesting that alternative explanations for their action must be sought.

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Ennis, M., Truneh, A., White, J. et al. Inhibition of histamine secretion from mast cells. Nature 289, 186–187 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/289186a0

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