title: Human mast cells express androgen receptors but treatment with testosterone exerts no influence on IgE-independent mast cell degranulation elicited by neuromuscular blocking agents.
abstract: Women predominate in the anaphylactic reactions to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA). The expression of oestrogen receptors has been demonstrated in mast cells and oestrogen treatment can enhance mast cell degranulation, but the influence of androgens remains largely unclear. Our immunocytochemical study showed the expression of androgen receptor (AR) in mast cells isolated from human foreskin as well as in two human mast cell lines, HMC-1 and LAD2. The amount of AR was most abundant in human skin mast cells as determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Treatment of the HMC-1 mast cells with testosterone or 17beta-oestradiol, alone or in combination with different NMBA, did not affect mast cell degranulation as measured by the release of beta-hexosaminidase. Our study shows for the first time the expression of AR in human skin mast cells. Further studies using primary human mast cell cultures are needed to understand whether and how sex hormones can influence mast cell activation.
authors.forename: WenChieh
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brockow
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Effner
authors.forename: Jeroen T M
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Buters
authors.forename: Heidrun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Behrendt
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ring
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C410798:AR protein, human; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases