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F L Pearce

Publications and source records attributed to F L Pearce.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Some studies on the effects of alpha-chymotrypsin on mast cells from the rat and other species.

We have examined the effect of alpha-chymotrypsin on isolated mast cells from different sources. The enzyme induced a dose-dependent secretion of histamine from purified and non-purified populations of rat peritoneal mast cells. The release was non-cytotoxic and was inhibited by metabolic blockers and extremes of temperature. The process was relatively slow, being essentially complete within 20 min, and was unaffected by phosphatidylserine. A substantial component of the secretion persisted in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The release was suppressed by extremes of pH and a variety of anti-allergic compounds and serine esterase inhibitors. In addition to the secretion of preformed mediators, alpha-chymotrypsin also induced the metabolism of arachidonic acid, resulting in the release of prostaglandin D2 in a dose-related manner from purified rat peritoneal mast cells. alpha-Chymotrypsin exhibited a marked tissue and species selectivity in its action and tissue mast cells of the rat, guinea pig and human were generally resistant to the enzyme except at cytotoxic concentrations. On the basis of these results, the possible role of endogenous serine esterases in mast cell activation is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Extracellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and disodium cromoglycate share a similar spectrum of activity in the inhibition of histamine release from isolated mast cells and basophils.

In comparison to adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), surprisingly little is known regarding the role of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) in the functional modulation of mast cells and basophils. In the present study, the ability of cGMP, cAMP, and a range of related compounds, to inhibit immunologically induced histamine release from these cells was investigated and compared to the anti-asthmatic drug disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). Exogenously applied cGMP produced a potent inhibition of histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, but cAMP had a negligible effect. The attenuation noted with cGMP was markedly reduced if cells were pretreated with the nucleotide before stimulation. Similar results were obtained with DSCG. The inhibitory and tachyphylactic effects noted with cGMP were mimicked by direct derivatives of the compound but not by a range of other cyclic or guanosine nucleotides. The time courses of the induced tachyphylaxis seen with cGMP and DSCG were similar, and cross-tachyphylaxis between the two compounds was observed. In addition, both cGMP and DSCG showed a comparable spectrum of activity against mast cells isolated from the mouse, guinea pig, and human. The parallel effects of the two agents suggests that they may inhibit mediator release from mast cells through similar mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Does the mast cell have an intrinsic role in the pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis?

In order to examine the role of mast cells in the inflammatory bladder disease interstitial cystitis, mast cells isolated from the human bladder of normal and diseased tissue were challenged with a range of secretagogues. Calcium ionophore A23187 and anti-IgE caused histamine release from all bladder mast cells in a dose-related manner. Mast cells from the diseased tissue were far more responsive than those from the normal tissue. Mast cells from the muscle of normal bladder were responsive towards substance P and compound 48/80. However, mast cells from interstitial cystitis bladder did not release significant amounts of histamine with these two secretagogues.

Calcimycin↗
PubMed1994

Involvement of a serine protease in mast cell activation.

To examine the putative role of an endogenous serine esterase in mast cell activation, we have investigated the effect of inhibitors of, and substrates for, alpha-chymotrypsin in normal and permeabilized rat mast cells. These agents effectively blocked histamine release induced by anti-IgE, with an enhanced potency in permeabilized cells, but were ineffective against secretion evoked by compound 48/80. Activation of a chymotryptic enzyme, as evidenced by hydrolysis of a fluorescent substrate, was directly demonstrated following immunologic stimulation of permeabilized mast cells. No such activation was observed with compound 48/80. Immunologic stimulation also led to a significant increase in the total chymotryptic activity recoverable from the cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effect of loop diuretics on rat peritoneal and human lung mast cells.

The effects of furosemide and bumetanide on immunologically stimulated rat peritoneal and human lung mast cells were compared. Furosemide and bumetanide had different modulatory actions on the rat peritoneal mast cell. Furosemide inhibited anti-IgE-induced histamine release. Preincubation of the cells with the drug, prior to anti-IgE stimulation, significantly reduced furosemide's inhibitory effect. In contrast, bumetanide potentiated anti-IgE-induced histamine secretion from the rat peritoneal mast cell. Both diuretics were modest inhibitors of anti-IgE-mediated histamine release from human lung mast cells. For furosemide, inhibition decreased with preincubation, while preincubation increased bumetanide's inhibitory action.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effects of the H2-antagonists famotidine and nizatidine and the cytoprotectant misoprostol on human colonic and rat peritoneal mast cells.

The H2-antagonists famotidine and nizatidine produced a dose-dependent inhibition of histamine release from human colonic mucosal and muscle mast cells stimulated with anti-IgE. The IC30 values were in the range 0.5-10 microM and the maximum inhibition approached 50%. The compounds showed similar efficacy against rat peritoneal mast cells but were more potent. The cytoprotectant misoprostol had a striking effect on the human colonic mast cells, producing more than 50% inhibition at concentrations of 0.1-1 nM, but was much less active against the rat cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Human basophil degranulation is not triggered by very dilute antiserum against human IgE.

We have attempted to reproduce the findings of Benveniste and co-workers, who reported in 1988 that degranulation of human basophil leukocytes is triggered by very dilute (10(2)-10(120)) antiserum against IgE. The results were contrary to conventional scientific theory and were not satisfactorily explained. Following as closely as possible the methods of the original study, we can find no evidence for any periodic or polynomial change of degranulation as a function of anti-IgE dilution. Our results contain a source of variation for which we cannot account, but no aspect of the data is consistent with the previously published claims.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1993

Some characteristics of the ATP-induced histamine release from and permeabilization of rat mast cells.

Extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) induced a characteristic, dose-dependent release of histamine and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) from rat peritoneal mast cells. The process was relatively slow, non-cytotoxic, maximal at physiological pH and dependent on external calcium. Strontium and barium ions were able to substitute for calcium, although higher concentrations were required for maximal release. Cells stimulated in the absence of calcium progressively lost the ability to respond to subsequent reintroduction of the cation. The secretion of histamine induced by ATP was largely unaffected by the anti-asthmatic drugs disodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium but was inhibited by structurally related flavonoids and by cAMP-active drugs. Importantly, the non-hydrolysable guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) analogue, GTP-gamma-S, elicited a dose-dependent release of histamine when introduced into mast cells permeabilized with ATP in the absence of external calcium. ATP thus appears to be a useful cell permeabilizing tool with which to study the biochemical processes involved in mast cell activation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

Effect of nedocromil sodium on mediator release from mast cells.

Bronchial asthma is a complex inflammatory disorder that involves activation of, and mediator release by, a variety of cells including mast cells. Nedocromil sodium can inhibit the activity of a range of inflammatory cells including mast cells, as has been demonstrated in several studies. In human beings nedocromil sodium inhibited histamine secretion from mast cells obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage and from dispersed lung mast cells. Tachyphylaxis was noted with the latter cells only. Because the bronchoalveolar lavage mast cells would come into direct contact with inhaled drugs, these cells may be a major target for the action of nedocromil sodium. The inhibitory effects of nedocromil sodium on mast cell activation and secretion are one way the drug may be effective in controlling airway obstruction.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Basophil mediator release in atopic dermatitis.

Basophils have been implicated as a source of histamine and pro-inflammatory eicosanoids in atopic dermatitis. However, mechanisms regulating basophil mediator release are not understood. An H3 receptor involved in the control of histamine synthesis and release has been identified in nervous tissue. In this study we have investigated 1) release of histamine, leukotriene C4, and prostaglandin D2 from anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE)-stimulated basophils of adults with atopic dermatitis and unaffected individuals and 2) specific H3 receptor-dependent basophil mediator release, using an H3 receptor agonist and antagonist. Basophil-rich leukocyte fractions were prepared by dextran sedimentation of venous blood from 19 patients with atopic dermatitis (five male, 14 female, mean age 30.6 years, range 19-59 years) and 15 unaffected individuals (five male, 10 female, mean age 27.6 years, range 19-50 years). Anti-IgE (0.78-78.0 micrograms/ml) stimulation of basophils induced a concentration-dependent release of histamine and leukotriene C4, but not prostaglandin D2. Histamine release was maximally induced by 7.8 micrograms/ml anti-IgE with no significant (Mann-Whitney U test) difference between atopic basophils (n = 17; 43.65 +/- 4.16% mean +/- SEM) and normal basophils (n = 13; 52.23 +/- 4.39%). LTC4 release was maximal from atopic basophils incubated with 2.6 micrograms/ml anti-IgE (n = 5; 0.99 +/- 0.29 pg/10(6) cells) and from normal basophils incubated with 0.78 microgram/ml anti-IgE (n = 5; 25.38 +/- 5.79 pg/10(6) cells). Anti-IgE-stimulated release of leukotriene C4 from atopic basophils was significantly less than from normal basophils at all concentrations (p < 0.05). Basophils were co-incubated with anti-IgE (2.6 and 7.8 micrograms/ml) and either the H3 receptor agonist, (R)alpha-methylhistamine (10(-8) and 10(-7) M), or the H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide (10(-6) and 10(-5) M). Neither drug modulated anti-IgE-induced release of histamine (atopics, n = 10; normals, n = 8). These results indicate 1) that basophils from adults with atopic dermatitis release the same amount of histamine as, but less leukotriene C4 than, basophils of unaffected adults and 2) that H3 receptors are not involved in anti-IgE release of histamine from basophils. These data do not support a role for increased basophil release of histamine as a mediator in the itch and erythema of atopic dermatitis in adults.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

On the mechanism of action of sodium orthovanadate in inducing histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells.

Sodium orthovanadate produced a dose-dependent release of histamine and prostaglandin D2 from rat peritoneal mast cells. The release of histamine was selectively inhibited by the anion channel blockers SITS and DIDS, and by theophylline and dibutyryl cyclic-AMP, but was unaffected by disodium cromoglycate and lanthanum ions. Unlike IgE-directed ligands, vanadate did not produce any change in the intracellular concentration of cyclic-AMP but did promote a substantial uptake of calcium-45 from the incubation medium. This effect paralleled the release of histamine. These results are discussed in terms of the possible mode of action of vanadate.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗
PubMed1992

Mast cell heterogeneity: evidence that mast cells isolated from various connective tissue locations in the rat display markedly graded phenotypes.

The present study has extended histochemical and functional investigations into rat mast cell heterogeneity using isolated mast cells from four connective tissue locations; the peritoneum, mesentery, lung and skin. On histological examination, mast cells from these locations displayed a range of phenotypes following formalin fixation and staining with Alcian blue/safranin O, suggesting the existence of both chondroitin sulphate and heparin proteoglycans in varying proportions in these cell types. Functional studies using the structurally diverse polycationic secretagogues, compound 48/80, the polyamino acids, polymyxin B, substance P, ACTH1-24, mastoparan, protamine sulphate, histone, d-tubocurarine and ranitidine confirmed the existence of such phenotypic gradation. This investigation highlights the inappropriate usage of the terms CTMC and MMC which represent two phenotypic extremes between which a gradation of phenotypes clearly exists.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Mast cells from human gastric mucosa: a comparative study with lung and colonic mast cells.

Mast cells isolated from human gastric mucosa released histamine on challenge with IgE-directed ligands and calcium ionophores but were essentially unresponsive to a variety of non-immunological stimuli. Moreover, immunologically induced histamine secretion from these cells was inhibited by a number of anti-allergic agents including anti-asthmatic chromones, beta-adrenoceptor agonists and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. In total, these data indicate that mast cells from the human gastric mucosa are in many respects functionally similar to their lung and colonic counterparts.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗