Characterization of primate bronchoalveolar mast cells. I. IgE-dependent release of histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins

Large numbers of functional mast cells were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of Macaca arctoides monkeys that had been infected with the nematode Ascaris suum. These lavage cells, of which 21% were mast cells, released histamine, LTC4, and PGD2 in a concentration-dependent fashion when challenged with ascaris antigen or antibody to human IgE. However, there was no release of histamine when these cells were challenged with compound 48/80. The amount of mediator released was highly dependent on the sensitivity of the cells to immunologic challenge, but was generally in the range of 2 to 5 micrograms histamine (30 to 70% of total), 20 to 80 ng LTC4, and 100 to 300 ng PGD2 per 10(6) mast cells when maximally challenged. Other eicosanoids measured were released only in much smaller quantities. Maximal values were 4 ng LTB4, 2 ng PGE2, and approximately 10 to 20 ng PGF2 alpha per 10(6) mast cells. The amount of LTC4 and PGD2 released correlated with the release of histamine, the calculated regression line indicating that 18 ng LTC4 and 50 ng PGD2 were released per microgram of histamine released. This correlation suggests that the majority of the LTC4 and PGD2 released was probably mast cell-derived. Further support for this conclusion was given by the observation that when lavage cells were fractioned on continuous Percoll gradients, the ability to release LTC4 and PGD2 on immunologic challenge coincided with the peak of mast cells.     

Activation and inhibition of mast cells degranulation affect their morphometric parameters

Activation of mast cells, the key cells of allergic inflammation, causes typical morphological changes associated with an increase in volume, that is a function of area and perimeter. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mast cell activation to degranulate, carried out by the secretagogue Compound 48/80, and of inhibition of this activation carried out by Nedocromil sodium, a mast cell stabilizing drug, on mast cell area, perimeter and shape factor by a computerized image analyzer. Mast cells were isolated and purified by peritoneal lavage of rats (purity >98%) and co-cultured with mouse 3T3 fibroblasts to which they adhere. Cultures were incubated for 10 min at 37 degrees C with culture medium alone (Enriched Medium) or Enriched Medium containing either Nedocromil (10(-4) M) or Compound 48/80 (0.3 microg/ml) or Compound 48/80 and Nedocromil (0.3 microg/ml and 10(-4) M respectively). Supernatants were then assessed for histamine release, as a marker of mast cell activation and the cell monolayers were fixed and stained with an alcoholic-acidic toluidine blue solution and examined with a computerized image analyzer connected with a light microscope. Mast cells incubated in Enriched Medium or Nedocromil possessed similar morphometric parameters. Mast cells activated with Compound 48/80 (70% histamine release) had a significant increase in area and perimeter and a decrease in shape factor in comparison to mast cells in Enriched Medium alone. Simultaneous incubation of mast cells with Compound 48/80 and Nedocromil significantly inhibited their histamine release (36% histamine release) and the increase in area and perimeter, but did not affect significantly their shape factor, in comparison with mast cells incubated with Compound 48/80 alone. These data clearly show that there is a relationship between mast cell activation, consequent histamine release and changes in cell area, perimeter and shape factor and that Nedocromil not only inhibits mast cell histamine release but also the activation induced morphometric changes in mast cells.     

High rate of IgE-mediated histamine release from rat mesenteric mast cells.

IgE-dependent histamine release from rat mesenteric mast cells was investigated. Excised mesenterium was cut into pieces and incubated with IgE overnight at 4 degrees C for sensitization. Over 10 pieces of mesenterium specimen could be prepared from a rat. Antigen-induced histamine release from mesenterium specimen was initiated rapidly and reached a plateau in 5 min. In an optimal condition, over 50% of total histamine was released. In contrast, unpurified and purified peritoneal mast cells released only 22.5% and 5.3% of total histamine, respectively, upon IgE stimulation. Tranilast, a mast cell stabilizer, inhibited the histamine release from mesenteric mast cells significantly. The mesenterium might be useful material for studying tissue-associated mast cell activation.     

Group II phospholipase A2 inhibitors suppressed lysophosphatidylserine-dependent degranulation of rat peritoneal mast cells.

Rat peritoneal mast cells were sensitized with IgE and challenged with the specific antigen in the presence of lysophosphatidylserine (lysoPS), an essential co-factor for rodent connective tissue mast cell degranulation, and the effects of phospholipase A2 inhibitors were examined. Mepacrine, a known inhibitor of phospholipase A2, at concentrations below 10(-5) M and anti-rat 14-kDa group II phospholipase A2 antibody inhibited histamine release, while they did not affect the prostaglandin generation. Like histamine release, prostaglandin generation in IgE- and antigen- challenged rat peritoneal mast cells was dependent on the presence of lysoPS. These results indicate that 14-kDa group II phospholipase A2 may play an essential role in IgE-, antigen-, and lysoPS-dependent degranulation process of rat peritoneal mast cells and that the mechanism whereby it participates may not be due to the production of lysoPS from PS in mast cell membranes.     

Mucosal mast cells. II. Effects of anti-allergic compounds on histamine secretion by isolated intestinal mast cells

Functional mast cells have been isolated from the lamina propria of the small intestine of rats infected with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. The cells released histamine on challenge with specific antigen, anti-rat IgE, concanavalin A, and calcium ionophores but were less responsive than peritoneal mast cells (MMC) from the same animals. Intestinal mucosa mast cells (PMC) were refractory to the action of the basic secretagogues peptide 401 from bee venom and compound 48/80. The anti-allergic compounds disodium cromoglycate (less than or equal to 10(-3) M), AH 9679 (less than or equal to 10(-4) M), and theophylline (less than or equal to 10(-2)) did not inhibit antigen-induced histamine secretion by MMC, although these compounds were effective against PMC. In contrast, doxantrazole (10(-5) to 10(-3) M) inhibited the secretion of histamine from both MMC and PMC in a comparable dose-dependent fashion. Thus, we have established that mast cells from different sites are functionally heterogeneous not only in their response to various stimuli for histamine secretion, but also in their responses to different pharmacologic modulators of secretion. It cannot be assumed that anti-allergic compounds effective against mast cells in one tissue site or organ will be equally efficacious against mast cells in other sites. The extent of this functional heterogeneity must be established, and its investigation may provide new insights into the biochemical events involved in mast cell secretion.     

Mast cells and pulmonary fibrosis. Identification of a histamine releasing factor in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

As elevated bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid histamine levels are noted in patients with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), we assayed BAL fluid from 16 patients with PF for the presence of a histamine releasing factor (HRF). HRF activity was assayed by measuring release of the preformed mast cell-derived mediators, histamine, or beta-hexosaminidase (beta-hex) from a purified population of IL-3 dependent mouse bone marrow derived mast cells (MBMMC) or human blood basophils. Mean BAL cell free histamine levels in the patients with PF was 1226 +/- 1349 pg/ml, whereas BAL histamine levels in a comparison group of six non-PF patients was 118 +/- 60 pg/ml. HRF was significantly elevated in BAL fluid of patients with PF (mean beta-hex release 24.5 +/- 12.9%; range 6.8 to 52.4%) compared to the non-PF group of patients (mean beta-hex release 7.9 +/- 7.7%; range 1.8 to 20.7%). The PF HRF not only degranulated MBMMC, but also induced the generation of the arachidonic acid metabolite leukotriene C4 from MBMMC (24.6 +/- 4.2 ng leukotriene C4/10(6) MBMMC). The PF HRF did not appear to be a cytokine previously identified in BAL fluid of patients with PF (i.e., platelet derived growth factor or insulin growth factor-1) or a human cytokine able to degranulate human basophils (i.e., IL-1, or granulocyte-macrophage-CSF) as these recombinant human cytokines did not induce MBMMC beta-hex release. Physicochemical characterization of the HRF revealed that it was relatively heat stable, pronase sensitive and on Sephadex G-75 and G-200 column chromatography had an apparent molecular mass of 30 to 50 kDa. The ability of PF BAL to induce beta-hex release from MBMMC was not dependent on IgE as unsensitized or lactic acid treated MBMMC release similar amounts of beta-hex compared to MBMMC sensitized with IgE. Thus, BAL fluid of patients with PF contains an HRF that induces beta-hex release from MBMMC via an IgE-independent mechanism. The presence of the HRF could explain elevated BAL histamine levels in patients with PF.     

Quercetin is more effective than cromolyn in blocking human mast cell cytokine release and inhibits contact dermatitis and photosensitivity in humans

Mast cells are immune cells critical in the pathogenesis of allergic, but also inflammatory and autoimmune diseases through release of many pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 and TNF. Contact dermatitis and photosensitivity are skin conditions that involve non-immune triggers such as substance P (SP), and do not respond to conventional treatment. Inhibition of mast cell cytokine release could be effective therapy for such diseases. Unfortunately, disodium cromoglycate (cromolyn), the only compound marketed as a mast cell "stabilizer", is not particularly effective in blocking human mast cells. Instead, flavonoids are potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds with mast cell inhibitory actions. Here, we first compared the flavonoid quercetin (Que) and cromolyn on cultured human mast cells. Que and cromolyn (100 μM) can effectively inhibit secretion of histamine and PGD(2). Que and cromolyn also inhibit histamine, leukotrienes and PGD(2) from primary human cord blood-derived cultured mast cells (hCBMCs) stimulated by IgE/Anti-IgE. However, Que is more effective than cromolyn in inhibiting IL-8 and TNF release from LAD2 mast cells stimulated by SP. Moreover, Que reduces IL-6 release from hCBMCs in a dose-dependent manner. Que inhibits cytosolic calcium level increase and NF-kappa B activation. Interestingly, Que is effective prophylactically, while cromolyn must be added together with the trigger or it rapidly loses its effect. In two pilot, open-label, clinical trials, Que significantly decreased contact dermatitis and photosensitivity, skin conditions that do not respond to conventional treatment. In summary, Que is a promising candidate as an effective mast cell inhibitor for allergic and inflammatory diseases, especially in formulations that permit more sufficient oral absorption.     

Development of mast cells in vitro. II. Biologic function of cultured mast cells.

Mast cells were obtained by long term culture of rat thymus cells on rat embryonic fibroblast monolayers. Pure mast cell preparations obtained culture were incubated with 125I-labeled rat E myeloma protein to study receptors for IgE on their surface. When the cells were obtained after 35 to 45 days culture, the average number of receptors per mast cell was 100,000 to 400,000. An equilibrium constant of the binding reaction between their receptor and rat IgE was in the order of 108 M-1. The histamine content of the cultured mast cells was 0.2 to 5 mug/106 cells. The measurement of histamine content in mast cells recovered after different periods of culture suggested that the histamine content increased with maturation. Even after 45 to 50 days culture, the histamine content of cultured mast cells was significantly lower than that in rat peritoneal mast cells. The cultured mast cells were passively sensitized in vitro with rat IgE antibody against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. The sensitized cells released histamine upon incubation with the antigen. It was also found that cultured mast cells released histamine upon exposure to compound 48/80. These results indicated that cultured mast cells have physiologic functions similar to those of normal rat mast cells, but they have not reached full maturation.     

Dual effects of protoporphyrin and long wave ultraviolet light on histamine release from rat peritoneal and cutaneous mast cells.

In this study we investigated the effects of long wave ultraviolet light (UVA) and various doses of protoporphyrin (PP) on the release of histamine from rat peritoneal and cutaneous mast cells. We also correlated these results with morphologic characteristics and viability of the cells. PP at a dose of 30 ng/ml plus UVA-induced negligible histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC), but was able to suppress the ability of the cells to release histamine in response to subsequent exposure to the calcium ionophore A23187, compound 48/80, or the combination of Ag and IgE. This functional change was associated with an increase in cell size, and cell lysis that gradually occurred during 24 h in culture. PP at a dose of 3 ng/ml plus UVA also significantly inhibited secretogogue-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, but this dose was not associated with significant changes in morphology or viability. These various effects of PP plus UVA were also observed with mast cell preparations obtained by the enzymatic dispersion of rat skin. The suppression of secretogogue-induced histamine release in rat peritoneal mast cells treated with PP (3 ng/ml) and UVA could not be reversed by culturing the cells in the dark for 24 h in the absence of PP. Unlike the direct cytotoxic histamine releasing action of high doses of PP plus UVA, the suppressive effect of low PP doses could not be inhibited by catalase, but could be reduced by the absence of calcium. Our results indicate that PP plus UVA has dual effects on mast cells, apparently involving distinct mechanisms. This implies the possibility that PP and UVA at appropriate doses could be used in photochemotherapy of mast cell-mediated skin diseases.     

Biochemical analysis of glucocorticoid-induced inhibition of IgE-mediated histamine release from mouse mast cells

Pretreatment of mouse mast cells with 10(-7) to 10(-6) M dexamethasone (DM) during overnight sensitization with mouse IgE antibody resulted in inhibition of antigen-induced histamine release and degranulation. The inhibition of both degranulation and histamine release increased linearly with the duration of the treatment; maximal inhibition was obtained after approximately 16 hr with DM. The addition of DM to sensitized mast cells immediately before antigen challenge did not affect the antigen-induced histamine release. DM interacted directly with mast cells by binding to DM-specific cytoplasmic receptors. The treatment of mast cells with DM did not affect the binding of IgE to mast cells or intracellular cAMP levels. Bridging of cell-bound IgE anti-DNP antibody on mouse mast cells either by multivalent DNP-HSA or by anti-IgE induced phospholipid methylation at the plasma membrane and Ca++ influx into the cells. Pretreatment of mast cells with DM inhibited the antigen-induced phospholipid methylation and Ca++ uptake but failed to affect histamine release by Ca++ ionophore A23187. The results suggest that DM treatment inhibits histamine release by the inhibition of the early stage of biochemical processes leading to opening Ca++ channels but does not affect the process distal to Ca++ influx or the binding of IgE molecules to IgE receptors.     

Modulating effects of phenothiazines on mast cells deformities induced by colchicine. Importance of calcium

The shape changes of peritoneal rat mast cells induced by colchicine are completely inhibited by trifluoperazine (10(-4) M), known to inhibit calmodulin, and by EDTA (2 X 10(-3) M). Promethazine and chlorpromazine increase these modifications up to 10(-4) M and inhibit them at higher concentrations.     

Effects of ADP-ribosylation of GTP-binding protein by pertussis toxin on immunoglobulin E-dependent and -independent histamine release from mast cells and basophils

Pretreatment of rat peritoneal mast cells, human basophils, bone marrow-derived mouse mast cells (BMMC) and mouse mast cell line PT-18 cells with 1 microgram/ml pertussis toxin (PT) failed to inhibit immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent histamine release from the cells. In BMMC and PT-18 cells, even 20-hr incubation of the cells with 1 microgram/ml PT, which ADP-ribosylates more than 97% of 41 kDa, alpha-subunit of Ni in the cells, failed to affect the IgE-dependent release of histamine or arachidonate. The results indicate that GTP-binding protein, Ni, is not involved in the transduction of triggering signals induced by cross-linking of IgE receptors. In contrast, pretreatment of rat mast cells with 1 ng/ml to 0.1 microgram/ml PT for 2 hr inhibited histamine release induced by compound 48/80 in a dose-dependent manner. A similar pretreatment with PT inhibited thrombin-induced histamine release from BMMC and N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine-induced histamine release from human basophils in a similar dose-dependent fashion. However, even 20 hr of incubation of sensitized BMMC with 1 microgram/ml PT failed to inhibit either thrombin-induced or antigen-induced breakdown of phosphatidylinositides (PI), i.e., the formation of inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol, Quin-2 signal, and the release of arachidonic acid. The results indicate that the inhibition of thrombin-induced histamine release by PT-treatment is not due to the inhibition of PI-turnover, and that Ni is not involved in thrombin-induced or antigen-induced (IgE-dependent) hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositides in mast cells.     

Rapid inhibitory effect of corticosterone on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells.

Glucocorticoids are steroids endowed with powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which are routinely believed to require several hours to take effect through modulation of gene expression. Our recent report has shown that glucocorticoids could inhibit allergic reaction within 10 minutes, which the classical genomic mechanism could not explain. Histamine is thought to be one of major mediators in the allergic reaction, and IgE-mediated histamine release from mast cells plays a pivotal role in allergic diseases. Here, we have determined a rapid effect of corticosterone on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, using fluorometric assay. The results showed that corticosterone could inhibit antigen-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal cells within 15 minutes (p<0.05), which could be mimicked by membrane-impermeable BSA conjugated corticosterone (p<0.05). Neither glucocorticoid nuclear receptor antagonist nor protein synthesis inhibitor could block the rapid action (p<0.05). The study provided evidence that nongenomic mechanism might be involved in rapid effect of glucocorticoids on mast cells in allergic disease.     

Immunologic properties of mast cells from rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.

The concentration of IgE in the serum of Sprague-Dawley rats increased after infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (NB). The IgE concentration in normal rats was less than 1 mug/ml. After re-infection with NB, the concentration increased in 100 to 300 mug/ml. Mast cells were purified from peritoneal cells of both normal and NB-infected animals. Purified mast cells from the infected animals released histamine upon exposure to NB antigen. The antibody specific for IgE released histamine from purified mast cells of both normal and infected animals. Dose-reponse curves of histamine release suggested that mast cells from NB-infected animals bear more IgE molecules than normal mast cells. Binding of 125I-labeled rat E myeloma protein with normal mast cells was demonstrated by autoradiography. Under the same experimental conditions, mast cells of infected animals were not labeled with 125I-IgE. Mast cells from both normal and infected animals failed to combine 125I-labeled IgG. The number of IgE molecules bound per mast cell was determined by incubating 125I-labeled IgE with purified mast cells. When mast cells were incubated incubated in 0.6 to 2 mug/ml of IgE, the number of IgE molecules combined with the mast cells from infected animals was about 10% of that bound with normal mast cells. The results indicated that a large proportion of IgE receptors on mast cells of infected animals was occupied by their own IgE. No significant difference was observed between normal mast cells and those of infected animals with respect to histamine content and intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotides.     

Platelet factor 4 fragment induces histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells

Platelet factor 4 (PF-4) belongs to a superfamily of low-molecular weight proteins known as chemokines. However, its function has not been fully evaluated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PF-4 on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells by employing its biologically-active carboxyl-terminal fragment, PF-4 (58-70). PF-4 (58-70) stimulated histamine release from mast cells in a dose-dependent manner (10(-8) to 10(-5)M). Histamine release induced by PF-4 (58-70) occurred rapidly (<30s) and was inhibited by extracellular Ca(2+). These results suggest that PF-4 might play a crucial role at the site of inflammation and/or immune response.     

Concanavalin A-induced histamine release from normal rat mast cells.

Concanavalin A- (con A) induced release of histamine from normal rat mast cells was studied. In the presence of phosphatidylserine (PS) con A induced a concentration and temperature-dependent, noncytotoxic histamine release at con A concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 mug/ml. The optimal con A concentration, 100 mug/ml, caused a 27.3% (+/- 2.7 S.E.M.) net histamine release. Release began approximately 30 sec after addition of con A and was complete within 45 min. In the absence of PS, no net con A-induced release occurred. The effect of PS was concentration dependent from 1 to 100 mgg/ml. PS alone, however, did not cause histamine release. Binding studies indicated that mast cells bound up to 16 X 10(6) con A molecules per cell without histamine release. Upon removal of unbound con A and the addition of PS, normal histamine release occurred. Alpha-Methyl-D-mannose (50 mM) prevented both con A binding and histamine release and if added after Con A, caused a rapid cessation of histamine release and a reversal of con A binding. This study indicates several important advantages of the con A-induced histamine release system. Binding of con A to mast cells can be dissociated from histamine release by omitting PS from the medium. Release can then be induced by the addition of PS. Alpha-Methyl-D-mannose can be used to terminate rapidly the ongoing release reaction at any phase of the interaction. This system is potentially very useful for investigation of metabolic events during histamine release.     

Immunologically activated chloride channels involved in degranulation of rat mucosal mast cells.

Crosslinking of type I Fc epsilon receptors (Fc epsilon RI) on the surface of basophils or mast cells initiates a cascade of processes leading to the secretion of inflammatory mediators. We report here a correlation between mediator secretion and the activation of Cl- channels in rat mucosal-type mast cells (line RBL-2H3). Stimulation of RBL cells by either IgE and antigen or by a monoclonal antibody specific for the Fc epsilon RI, resulted in the activation of Cl- ion channels as detected by the patch-clamp technique. Channel activation occurred slowly, within minutes after stimulation. The channel has a slope conductance of 32 pS at potentials between 0 and -100 mV, and an increasing open-state probability with increasing depolarization. Activation of apparently the same Cl- channels could be mimicked without stimulation by isolating inside-out membrane patches in tyrode solution. Parallel inhibition of both Cl- channel activity and mediator secretion, as monitored by serotonin release, was observed by two compounds, the Cl- channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) and the anti-allergic drug cromolyn. NPPB inhibited both the antigen-induced Cl- current and the serotonin release, where half-maximal inhibition occurred at similar doses, at 52 microM and 77 microM, respectively. The drug cromolyn, recently found to inhibit immunologically induced mediator secretion from RBL cells upon intracellular application, also blocks Cl- channels (IC50 = 15 microM) when applied to the cytoplasmic side of an inside-out membrane patch. The observed Cl- channel activation upon immunological stimulation and the parallel inhibition of channel current and of serotonin release suggests a functional role for this Cl- channel in mediator secretion from the mast cells studied.     

Effect of colchicine on histamine secretion and calcium uptake in mast cells

The function of contractile system of microtubules on the mechanism of mast cell exocytosis by using colchicine, a depolymerizing alkaloid of the microtubular system, has been studied. The response of histamine release and 45Ca-uptake in isolated rat mast cells treated with colchicine has been determined. The incubation of mast cells in the presence of 10(-8)-10(-3) M colchicine slightly inhibits histamine secretion induced by the stimulant concentration 50 micrograms/ml of compound 48/80 (35 +/- 5%). Similarly colchicine does not significantly affect histamine values spontaneously elicited in unstimulated mast cells; the percentages of secretion are never greater than 10%. However, high doses of this alkaloid are found to markedly inhibit entry of calcium ions into the cell. These results suggest that microtubules do not participate in the secretory process of mast cells, although they significantly decrease calcium uptake. The microtubules might be connected to the membrane, so that the depolymerization of this contractile system could damage the membrane structures through which Ca2+ is transported.     

Characterization of adenylate and guanylate cyclases in rat peritoneal mast cells

Adenylate and guanylate cyclase activities were confirmed in crude homogenates from rat peritoneal mast cells. Both enzyme activities were associated with the 105, 000 X g particulate fractions, but not detected in the supernatant fractions. The optimal pH for both cyclase activities was 8.2. Mn⁺⁺ was essentially required for guanylate cylcase activity, while adenylate cyclase activity was observed in the presence of either Mg⁺⁺ or Mn⁺⁺. The apparent Km values of adenylate cyclase for Mn⁺⁺-ATP and Mg⁺⁺-ATP were 160 μM and 340 μM, respectively, whereas the value of guanylate cyclase for Mn⁺⁺-GTP was 100 μM. Adenylate cyclase was activated by 10 mM NaF. However, both adenylate and guanylate cyclase activities were neither stimulated nor inhibited by the addition of various kinds of agents which stimulate or inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells.     

Biochemical analysis of desensitization of mouse mast cells

Biochemical mechanisms of desensitization were explored by using peritoneal mouse mast cells saturated with monoclonal mouse IgE anti-DNP antibody. It was found that a 1-min incubation of the sensitized cells with 0.01 micrograms/ml DNP-HSA in the absence of Ca2+ was sufficient to desensitize the cells completely. The treated cells failed to release a detectable amount of histamine upon incubation with an optimal concentration (0.1 to 1.0 micrograms/ml) of DNP-HSA and Ca2+. Determination of the number of antigen molecules bound to mast cells revealed that only a small (less than 10%) fraction of cell-bound IgE antibody molecules reacted with desensitizing antigen, and that desensitized cells and untreated (sensitized) cells could bind comparable amounts of antigen upon incubation with rechallenging antigen. However, the binding of antigen molecules to desensitized cells failed to induce any of the early biochemical events, i.e., phospholipid methylation, cAMP rise, and 45Ca uptake, as well as histamine release. It was also found that intracellular cAMP levels in desensitized cells were comparable to those in sensitized cells. Desensitization by a suboptimal concentration of DNP-HSA was prevented by inhibitors of methyltransferases, such as 3-deaza adenosine plus L-homocysteine thiolactone. Sensitized cells pretreated with 0.01 micrograms/ml DNP-HSA in the absence of Ca2+ and in the presence of the methyltransferase inhibitors responded to an optimal concentration of antigen for histamine release when they were rechallenged in the presence of Ca2+. Inhibition of desensitization by methyltransferase inhibitors was reversed by the addition of S-adenosyl-L-methionine to the system. The results indicated that the activation of methyltransferases, induced by receptor bridging, is involved in the process of desensitization. Desensitization was inhibited by reversible inhibitors of serine proteases, such as p-aminobenzamidine, indole, and synthesized substrates of rat mast cell proteases. It was also found that diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), an irreversible inhibitor of serine proteases, completely blocked desensitization at the concentration of 10 to 40 nM. This concentration of DFP did not affect the antigen-induced histamine release, whereas 100- to 1000-fold higher concentrations of DFP did inhibit histamine release. The results suggest that serine proteases are involved in both the induction of histamine release and desensitization, and that the protease involved in desensitization is distinct from that involved in triggering histamine release.