Human C5a induces a substantial histamine release in human basophils but not in tissue mast cells

The histamine-releasing effect of human C5a was compared with that of concanavalin A in blood basophils and isolated adenoidal mast cells from the same donors. In basophils, C5a (10 ng/ml) induced a significant histamine release (7.5 +/- 2.1%, corrected value). In isolated adenoidal mast cells C5a had only a marginal effect (2% histamine release), although the cells responded markedly to concanavalin A stimulation (about 13% release). The results support the view that the heterogeneity of mast cells and basophils is also reflected in the expression of anaphylatoxin receptors on their surface.