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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Quantifying Agonist Activity at G Protein-coupled Receptors
Published on: December 26, 2011
Mivacurium induce mast cell activation and pseudo-allergic reactions via MAS-related G protein coupled receptor-X2
Delu Che1, Jue Wang1, Yuanyuan Ding1
1College of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
Background:
Mivacurium is a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant and widely used as a short-acting anesthetic. Pseudo-allergic reactions to mivacurium occur when it is administered during perioperative anesthesia. These reactions may present a serious threat to the patient's life, particularly in children.
Methods:
MAS-related G protein coupled receptor-related pseudo-allergic reactions that were induced by mivacurium were investigated using skin swelling and extravasation assays in vivo and mast cell degranulation assay in vitro.
Results:
Mivacurium caused pseudo-allergic reactions in wild-type mice by inducing mast cells to release histamine. However, it did not induce a similar phenomenon in KitW-sh/W-sh mice. Furthermore, MrgprB2-knockout mice displayed no inflammatory response to mivacurium. Mivacurium induced LAD2 cell degranulation in a dose-dependent manner. Mivacurium stimulated intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) influx in MRGPRX2-HEK293 cells but not in NC-HEK293 cells. However, mivacurium induced the release of only low levels of mediators in LAD2 cells transfected with MRGPRX2-targeted small interfering (si)RNA. Notably, cytokine release was not observed in LAD2 cells even when stimulated with high concentrations of mivacurium.
Conclusion:
Mivacurium activated MRGPRX2 and triggered mast cell degranulation, leading to anaphylactoid reactions. However, mivacurium did not induce the release of other cytokines. Therefore, the targeting of MRGPRX2 can potentially block mivacurium-induced adverse drug effects, particularly pseudo-allergic reactions.
Insights
Mivacurium, a short-acting anesthetic, can cause pseudo-allergic reactions by activating MRGPRX2 and mast cells. Targeting MRGPRX2 may prevent these dangerous anaphylactoid reactions.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Mivacurium is a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant used in anesthesia.
- Pseudo-allergic reactions to mivacurium can be life-threatening, especially in pediatric patients.
- These reactions are associated with perioperative administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms of mivacurium-induced pseudo-allergic reactions.
- To identify the specific receptor involved in mivacurium-induced mast cell activation.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets for mitigating adverse drug reactions.
Main Methods:
- In vivo studies using wild-type and genetically modified mice (KitW-sh/W-sh, MrgprB2-knockout).
- In vitro assays including mast cell degranulation (LAD2 cells) and calcium ion influx studies (MRGPRX2-HEK293 cells).
- Use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to target MRGPRX2 in LAD2 cells.
Main Results:
- Mivacurium induced histamine release from mast cells in wild-type mice, but not in KitW-sh/W-sh or MrgprB2-knockout mice.
- Mivacurium triggered dose-dependent degranulation of LAD2 cells and calcium influx in MRGPRX2-HEK293 cells.
- Targeting MRGPRX2 with siRNA reduced mediator release, and no significant cytokine release was observed.
Conclusions:
- Mivacurium activates MRGPRX2, leading to mast cell degranulation and anaphylactoid reactions.
- The primary mechanism involves MRGPRX2 activation, not broad cytokine release.
- Targeting MRGPRX2 presents a potential strategy to prevent mivacurium-induced pseudo-allergic adverse drug effects.
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