Human mast cells are capable of serotonin synthesis and release

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 119; no. 2; pp. 498 - 499
• Main Authors: Kushnir-Sukhov, Nataliya M., MD, Brown, Jared M., PhD, Wu, Yalin, PhD, Kirshenbaum, Arnold, MD, Metcalfe, Dean D., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 01.02.2007; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Allergies; Allergy and Immunology; Animals; Blood platelets; Cell adhesion & migration; Cytokines; Histamine; Humans; Mast Cells - metabolism; Mice; Serotonin; Serotonin - biosynthesis; Serotonin - secretion
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.09.003

Serotonin is a bioactive mediator implicated in immunomodulation,4 cell growth and development, mast cell adhesion and chemotaxis,5 tumorigenesis,6 and tissue regeneration.7 We did find that human mast cells contain and release serotonin, which has been demonstrated to contribute to allergic inflammation in mice.8 It is of interest that cyproheptadine, which has antiserotonergic properties, is of preferential use in the medical management of individuals with some forms of urticaria.9 Furthermore, the increased levels of serotonin found in some patients with mastocytosis could be associated with the increased mast cell burden and could help explain a report of a response to cyproheptadine in a pediatric patient with bullous lesions.10 Serotonin thus joins a list of mast cell mediators with a possible role in mast cell-dependent processes.