Mediator release from human lung mast cell subtypes in chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Human lung mast cells were obtained from pulmonary tissue of normal individuals and patients with chronic bronchitis or emphysema by enzymatic dispersion. Based on their density two mast cell subtypes, a formalin-sensitive (FS) and a formalin-insensitive (FI) cell type, could be separated. Although differences in anti-IgE-induced histamine release could be demonstrated for the mast cell subtypes of normal individuals, these experiments could not be performed for both mast cell subtypes from both patient groups. LTC4 and PGD2 release could be demonstrated for the FS- and FI-mast cell respectively. The release of PGD2 from FI-mast cells of patients with chronic bronchitis was enhanced as compared with normal subjects.