RELEASE OF TRYPTASE FROM HUMAN SKIN MAST-CELLS

Human skin mast cells are involved in the pathogenesis of allergic/pseudoallergic reactions and different inflammatory skin diseases. Their granules contain histamine, chemotactic factors, cytokines and neutral proteases. Among the latter tryptase is an important mediator with effects on coagulation, connective tissue metabolism and the complement system. The present study demonstrates that tryptase is released from isolated human skin mast cells after stimulation with either anti-IgE or the calcium ionophore A23187. We suggest that skin mast cells might be a potent source for tryptase since it is known that tryptase plasma levels are elevated after allergic/pseudoallergic reactions.