Modulation of histamine release from canine fundic mucosal mast cells.

To study the control of histamine release, we developed techniques for culturing fundic mucosal mast cells. After enzyme dispersion, enrichment by elutriation, and overnight suspension culture, mast cells accounted for 30% of the cells present. Histamine release into the medium, measured by radioenzymatic assay, was stimulated by the lectin concanavalin A (Con A). Ragweed antigen released histamine in antisera-sensitized cultures. Con A-induced histamine release was enhanced by adenosine, but adenosine alone was inactive. The relative potency of adenosine analogues was consistent with interaction at an adenosine A1-receptor site. The calcium ionophore A23187 (0.1-1 microM) also induced histamine release. Phorbol esters that activate protein kinase C, such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, did not release histamine but enhanced release when added to low concentrations of A23187. In contrast, inactive phorbols, such as 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, failed to enhance A23187-induced release. Parallel studies with canine hepatic mast cells yielded comparable results. We conclude that canine fundic mast cells possess receptors for immunoglobulin E and adenosine. Our data are consistent with increases in cytosolic calcium and protein kinase C activation working synergistically to stimulate fundic mast cells.