Mast cell
Tasaka, K.
Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 28(10): 1282-1287
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1542 PMID: 1703250 Document Number: 347805
It has been assumed that the histamine release from mast cells induced by various neuropeptides or basic protein plays some important roles in the development of the hyperrreactivity of airways. In the present study, the mechanisms of the histamine release induced by neuropeptides and histone were investigated. Substance P, somatostatin, neurotensin or histone induced histamine release from isolated rat peritoneal mast cells even in the Ca free medium; Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca store was detected very significantly. In order to study the interaction between neuropeptides and phospholipid bilayer of cell membrane, model membranes sytems were used. It was indicated that the interaction between basic amino acid residues of neuropeptides and acidic portion in the lipid bilayer caused the conformational changes of neuropeptides form the random coil in the water to the .beta.-form in the lipids. At the same time, hydrophobic amino acid residues may interact with the hydrophobic region in the lipid bilayer of cell membrane and induce the membrane perturbation, which may cause an increase of the permeability of the membrane. Subsequently, it became evident that after an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, the cytoskeletons inside the mast cell were activated so as to extrude the granules out of the cell.