Effects of phorbol ester, serine phospholipids, and calcium on histamine release from mast cells and basophils

The effects of calcium, serine phospholipids and the phorbol ester tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA), a known activator of protein kinase C, have been examined on mastocytes from different sources. A complex and differential interaction between these agents and histamine secretion was observed in human basophil leucocytes and in peritoneal mast cells from the rat, mouse and hamster. On this basis, the possible role of kinase C in histamine release is discussed.