Mast cell degranulation alters lymphatic contractile activity through action of histamine.
OBJECTIVE
Mast cells reside in most tissues and in close association with blood vessels and nerves, areas where lymphatic vessels are also present. Mast cells and lymphatic vessels are two important players in the development of the inflammatory process. This study was designed to examine the effects of mast cell degranulation on the contractile activity of mesenteric lymphatic vessels.


METHODS
Lymphatic vessel contractile activity was assessed in vitro by video microscopy of the mesentery of cow's milk-sensitized guinea pigs upon application of beta-lactoglobulin and compared to the response measured in sham animals.


RESULTS
Application of 5-10 microM beta-lactoglobulin increased lymphatic vessel constriction frequency and decreased constriction amplitude (n = 12). This effect was not seen in sham-treated animals (n = 16) and was not due to an increased number of mast cells in the mesentery of the milk-sensitized animals, as revealed by histological examination. Two known mast cell-derived mediators, histamine and thromboxane A2, via stable mimetic U46619 also altered lymphatic pumping in a similar manner, but only pretreatment with the histamine H1 receptor antagonist pyrilamine (1 microM) could reduce the beta-lactoglobulin-induced response. The thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, SQ 29548, and the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, caffeic acid, were without significant effect.


CONCLUSIONS
In the in vitro mesenteric preparation, mast cell degranulation altered lymphatic contractile activity via the release of a mediator suggested to be histamine and the subsequent activation of H1 receptors. This action could potentially interfere with the expected ability of lymphatic vessels to reduce edema during inflammation.
Plaku
Kelly J
KJ
Mucosal Inflammation Research Group, Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
von der Weid
Pierre-Yves
PY
D000818:Animals; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation; D007782:Lactoglobulins / Q000494:pharmacology; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1 / Q000378:metabolism; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation
D007782:Lactoglobulins; D011969:Receptors, Histamine H1; D006632:Histamine