Phosphatidylserine: selective enhancer of histamine release.

Phosphatidylserine, in contrast with other phospholipids, markedly enhanced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by dextran or protein antigens. This enhancing effect was selective for dextran and protein antigens and did not extend to the action of compound 48/80 or chymotrypsin. These findings suggest a role for phosphatidylserine in the response of mast cells to antigens.