Auranofin inhibits histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells

The effect of auranofin on histamine release from immunologic and non-immunologic activated rat peritoneal mast cells cocultured with 3T3 fibroblasts (MC/3T3) was investigated. When MC/3T3 were preincubated with 2 x 10(-5) M auranofin and thereafter challenged with anti-IgE antibodies, a maximal inhibition of histamine release (86.2%) was obtained. Non-immunological histamine release induced by compound 48/80, substance P and bradykinin was inhibited to a lesser degree, i.e. 36.0%, 37.6% and 24.0% respectively. Simultaneous incubation of auranofin and the stimulating agents resulted in a higher inhibition of histamine release: anti-IgE antibodies--92.0%; compound 48/80--73.5%; substance P--46.1%. We conclude that auranofin effectively reduces histamine release from immunologic and non-immunologic activated mast cells. This may be relevant to the control of allergic reactions.