Mast cells and their chemical mediators play a role in cardiac and systemic anaphilaxis. Perivascular and cardiac mast cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery spasm, atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, and cardiomyopathy. Despite this, nothing is known about the immunological and biochemical characteristics of the human heart mast cell (HHMC). We have isolated and partially purified HHMC and compared them with mast cells isolated from lung (HLMC) and skin (HSMC) tissues. Cross-linking of the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcΕRI) by a polyclonal anti-FcΕ antibody caused the release of preformed (histamine and tryptase) and de novo synthesized mediators [peptide leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2)]. The tryptase content of HHMC (19.4 ± 1.5 µg/106 cells) was lower than HSMC (33.4 ± 2.5 µg/106 cells) and higher than HLMC (10.6 ± 1.9 µg/106 cells). Maximal stimulation of HHMC with anti-IgE led to the release of LTC4 (17.5 ± 5.1 µg/106 mast cells) and PGD2 (17.8 ± 5.0 µg/106 mast cells, whereas HSMC synthesized more PGD2 (65.0 ± 6.8 µg/106 mast cells) and much less LTC4 (< 5 µg/106 cells). Recombinant human C5a anaphylatoxin and protamine induced histamine release from HHMC and HSMC, but not from HLMC. Substance P and morphine selectively induced the release of histamine from HSMC, but not from HHMC and HLMC. Compound 48/80 caused histamine release from HSMC and HHMC, but not from HLMC. The pattern of mediators synthesized and the responsiveness of HHMC to different secretagogues appear unique providing strong evidence of human mast cell heterogeneity.

Keywords:
Complement C5a, Heart, Histamine, Leukotriene C4, Mast cells, Protamine, Substance P
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© 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel
1995
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