Role of oxidants in mast cell activation.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl radical, have for a long time been considered as accidental by-products of respiratory energy production in mitochondria and as being useless and rather deleterious to biological systems. Contrary to such a classical view, accumulating evidence indicates that upon stimulation of divergent receptor systems, ROS are intentionally produced and even required for appropriate signal transduction and biological responses. Work by our group and that of others have shown that stimulation of mast cells through the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) induces the production of ROS such as superoxide and H2O2 possibly by the phagocyte NADPH oxidase homologue and that these endogenously produced oxidants have important functions in regulation of various mast cell responses, including degranulation, leukotriene secretion, and cytokine production. Subsequent studies have defined particular biochemical pathways that can be targeted by ROS and/or cellular redox balance. More recent research reveals that ROS may also play an important role in mast cell activation by divergent allergy-relevant environmental substances, for instance heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of endogenous oxidants in mast cell activation.