Is mast cell activation during asthmatic reaction reflected in the circulation?
Allergic asthmatic patients were challenged with specific allergen that resulted in early asthmatic reaction (EAR). Serum tryptase concentration (STC) and neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) were measured before and during EAR. A significant increase in neutrophil chemotactic activity was noticed in the 60th min, without an accompanying increase in serum tryptase concentration. The rise in neutrophil chemotactic activity in our study confirms previous observations in this field. However, because of the numerous cellular sources for neutrophil chemotactic activity, it does not seem to be a gold standard for measurement of mast cell activation. Undetectable levels of serum tryptase concentration during EAR in our study do not exclude the role of the mast cell in its pathogenesis. To our knowledge, only massive mast cell degranulation is reflected in the circulation as an increased tryptase concentration. In the case of upper respiratory allergic reactions, mast cell degranulation definitely takes place, but does not result in evident changes in serum tryptase concentration. We conclude that mast cell activation during allergen-induced EAR is poorly represented in the circulation.
Medrala
W
W
Department of Internal Medicine and Allergology, Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
Małolepszy
J
J
Wolańczyk-Medrala
A
A
Wrzyszcz
M
M
Liebhart
E
E
Kraus-Filarska
M
M
Dobek
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002633:Chemotaxis; D053818:Chymases; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000097:blood*; D053802:Tryptases
D015415:Biomarkers; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C083294:chymase 2; D053818:Chymases; D053802:Tryptases