Mast cell, histamine

Histamine Mast cells Activation Hj receptor antagonists (e.g., diphenhydramine chloride, Benadryl )... 

Histamine Mast cells, basophils Contraction of smooth muscle increases vascular permeability... 

Q3 A type 1 hypersensitivity reaction is responsible for the development of the allergy. The symptoms are due to the effects of mast cell degranulation with the release of histamine. Mast cells are located in the nasal passages and the nasal mucosa is sensitive to the effects of histamine released from these cells, leading to inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose. The inflammation is associated with oedema and swelling, vasodilation and an increase in the secretion of mucus. The mucous membrane of other sections of the respiratory tract (accessory sinuses, nasopharynx, and upper and lower respiratory tract) will also be affected by the allergic reaction. 

Mast cell degranulation Mast cells (conjunctival epithelium, increase substantia propria) Eosinophilia (local, possibly blood) Histamine Mast cells, lymphocytes (conjunctival epitheUum) Basophils, eosinophils (conjunctival epitheUum and... 

Synthesis. Histamine [51-45-6] 2-(4-imidazolyl)ethylarnine (1) is formed by decarboxylation of histidine by the enzyme L-histidine decarboxylase (Fig. 1). Most histamine is stored preformed in cytoplasmic granules of mast cells and basophils. In humans mast cells are found in the loose connective tissue of all organs, especially around blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves. These cells are most abundant in the organs expressing allergic diseases the skin, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. 

Histamine in the Cardiovascular System. It has been known for many years that histamine is present in sympathetic nerves and has a distribution within the heart that parallels that of norepinephrine (see Epinephrine and norepinephrine). A physiological role for cardiac histamine as a modulator of sympathetic responses is highly plausible (15). A pool of histamine in rat heart located neither in mast cells nor in sympathetic nerves has been demonstrated. The turnover of this metaboHcaHy active pool of histamine appears to be maintained by normal sympathetic activity. 

Histamine AND histamine antagonists). It is formed from histidine by the enzyme L-histidine decarboxylase. In the periphery, histamine is stored ia mast cells, basophils, cells of the gastric mucosa, and epidermal cells. In the CNS, histamine is released from nerve cells and acts as a neurotransmitter. The actions of histamine ate terrninated by methylation and subsequent oxidation via the enzymes histamine-/V-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase. 

Chloro-oxazolo[4,5-/i]quinoline-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester was the most active compound in tests for inhibitors of antigen-induced release of histamine in vitro from rat peritoneal mast cells (IC50 of 0.3 p,M) and as inhibitors of IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the rat (ED50 (intraperitoneal) of 0.1 mg/kg in dose 0.5 mg/kg as an inhibitor of the test)—10 times and 60 times more potent, respectively, than the disodium salt of cromoglycic acid (85JMC1255). 

An allergen is usually an inert substance (e.g. pollen, house dust mite faeces) that in some individuals can trigger the generation of an (inappropriate) antigenic response. Mediated by TH2 lymphocytes, it causes B-Lymphocytes to produce lgE. Subsequent exposure of a sensitized individual to the allergen is therefore able to cross-link IgE antibodies on the surface of mast cells and trigger an immune response and histamine release. 

Although mast cells and basophils probably account for >90% of stored histamine in the body, histamine is also present in platelets, enterochromaffin-like cells, endothelial cells, and neurons. Histamine can act as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Histaminergic nerves have their cell bodies within a very small area of the brain (the magnocellular nuclei of the posterior hypothalamus) but have axons in most areas of the forebrain. There is also evidence for axons projecting into the spinal (Fig. 1) cord. Finally, there is evidence that histamine synthesis can be induced in tissues undergoing rapid tissue growth and repair. In certain neonatal tissues (e.g. liver), the rate of synthesis of this unstored diffusable histamine (termed nascent histamine) is profound and may point to a role for histamine is cell proliferation. 

Inflammation. Figure 1 Sequence of events in the recruitment of leukocytes in postcapillary venules adjacent to injured tissue. At the site of lesion, diverse reactive substances stimulate the endothelium to produce inflammatory cytokines, chemoattractants and other inflammatory mediators. The cytokine-activated endothelium expresses adhesion molecules that lead to the low affinity interactions between leukocytes and endothelium, which is mediated by selectins and described as rolling. Subsequently integrins mediate the firm adhesion of leukocytes, which allows emigration of the cells from venules into the interstitial compartment. Activated mast cells, PMNs and macrophages secrete cytokines (TNFa), lipid mediators (LTB4) and other inflammatory players (histamine, NO). 

Mast cells are connective tissue cells that can release histamine under certain conditions. 

Type I allergic reactions are inappropriate immune responses to an allergen with preferential synthesis of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a special antibody class, which binds to mast cells and basophilic granulocytes via Fee receptors. Binding of the allergen to the cell-bound IgE initiates the rapid release of allergic mediators, most prominently histamine, and the de novo synthesis of arachidonic acid metabolites and cytokines, which are responsible for the clinical symptoms. 

VMAT1 is expressed in the adrenal medulla, by small intensely fluorescent cells in sympathetic ganglia, and by other nonneural cells that release monoamines. In contrast, VMAT2 is expressed by neuronal populations in the nervous system. The substrate specificity for the two isoforms is similar, but VMAT2 has a somewhat higher apparent affinity for all monoamines than VMAT1. In addition, only VMAT2 appears able to transport histamine, consistent with its expression by mast cells. 

Histamine is a substance present in various tissues of die body, such as die heart, lungs, gastric mucosa, and skin (Pig. 36-1). The highest concentration of histamine is found in die basophil (a type of white blood cell) and mast cells diat are found near capillaries. Histamine is produced in response to injury. It acts on areas such as die vascular system and smooth muscle, producing dilatation of arterioles and an increased permeability of capillaries and venules. Dilatation of die arterioles results in localized redness. An increase in die permeability of... 

The mast cell stabilizers currently for ophthalmic use are nedocromil and pemirolast. These drugp are used for the prevention of eye itching caused by allergic conjunctivitis. The mast cell stabilizers act by inhibiting the antigen-induced release of inflammatory mediators (eg, histamine) from human mast cells. 

There are also other immimological mechanisms, especially via IgG or IgM antibodies with immune complex formation, which can lead to similar clinical conditions [20, 34, 42] as has been shown in dextran anaphylaxis (table 1). Triggering of mast cells and basophils leads to release of various vasoactive mediators, among which histamine was the first recognized in 1908 (fig. 3,4) [6]. 

The route of antigen administration can alter the speed of antigen access to the circulation and, thus, the systemic symptoms in anaphylaxis models. For example, allergen ingestion typically induces anaphylaxis that includes gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea [4]. These intestinal anaphylaxis models in mice are dependent on IgE-induced mast cell activation, and the release of PAF and serotonin (rather than histamine) [1,4]. 

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