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Progesterone triggers selective mast cell secretion of 5-hydroxytryptamine
H Vliagoftis1, V Dimitriadou, T C Theoharides
1Department of Pharmacology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass.
International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Progesterone can trigger mast cells to release serotonin, but not histamine. This selective serotonin release by progesterone suggests a role in neuroendocrine syndromes, particularly in women.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Mast cells mediate allergic reactions via immunoglobulin E (IgE) and antigen.
- Mast cells are implicated in neuroinflammation, with higher prevalence in women.
- Clinical reports link progesterone to anaphylaxis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of progesterone on mast cell mediator release.
- To determine if progesterone triggers selective serotonin secretion from mast cells.
Main Methods:
- Purified rat peritoneal mast cells were treated with progesterone.
- Dose- and time-dependent effects of progesterone on mediator release were assessed.
- Inhibition studies were performed using drugs affecting mast cell secretagogues.
Main Results:
- Progesterone alone stimulated dose- and time-dependent release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin).
- This serotonin release was not accompanied by histamine release or degranulation.
- Progesterone-induced serotonin release was unaffected or augmented by inhibitors of compound 48/80-induced secretion.
Conclusions:
- Mast cells can selectively secrete serotonin in response to progesterone.
- This selective secretion mechanism differs from classic mast cell activation pathways.
- Findings suggest a potential role for mast cell selective serotonin secretion in progesterone-related neuroendocrine syndromes.