Serotonin and its 5-HT1 receptor in human mastocytosis

Markus Ritter, Husameldin El-Nour, Mari Anne Hedblad, Joseph H. Butterfield, Olof Beck, Niclaus Stephanson, Mikael Holst, Ricardo Giscombe, Efrain C. Azmitia, Klas Nordlind

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Context: Human mastocytosis is a rare disease, in which the serotonergic system may be involved. Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine the possible presence of serotonin (5-HT) and its 5-HT1A receptor (R) in the skin of patients with mastocytosis. In addition, the effect of the 5-HT1AR was tested on human mastocytosis cells, cultured in vitro. Materials and methods: The expression of 5-HT and 5-HT1AR in patients with urticaria pigmentosa and mastocytoma was studied using immunohistochemistry. The effects of 8-OH-DPAT, an agonist of 5-HT1AR, on the proliferation (cell number), viability, apoptosis, spontaneous release of histamine, as well as a possible 5-HT metabolism, in the human HMC-1 mast cell line, were investigated. Results: Both 5-HT and 5-HT1AR were expressed in the mast cells in biopsies of mastocytoma and urticaria pigmentosa, as well as in HMC-1 cells. However, no metabolism of 5-HT by the cell line could be detected by the methodology used. The 5-HT1AR agonist had no significant effect on the viability and number of HMC-1 cells, and was without effect on the apoptosis. At concentrations of 10-6 mol/L and 10-810-10 mol/L (i.e. also at physiological concentrations), the agonist inhibited histamine release by these cells by as much as 30%. Conclusion: These findings indicate that 5-HT and its 5-HT1AR are expressed in human mastocytosis and that an agonist of the 5-HT1AR might be of value in the treatment of these patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)679-685
Number of pages7
JournalImmunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology
Volume34
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

Keywords

  • Human
  • Mast cell
  • Mastocytosis
  • Receptor
  • Serotonin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Serotonin and its 5-HT1 receptor in human mastocytosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this