Inhibition of substance P-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells by low doses of protoporphyrin plus long-wave ultraviolet light irradiation: decreased intracellular calcium as a possible mechanism.

Background: A considerable amount of recent interest has been devoted to the down-regulatory effects of photosensitizers plus long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) irradiation on multiple biologic systems. However, these effects on mast cells are controversial.

Objective: We have investigated the effect of low doses of protoporphyrin (PP) plus UVA irradiation (PP/UVA) on substance P (SP)-induced histamine release from rat mast cells.

Methods: Rat peritoneal mast cells purified on a Percoll gradient were treated with 3 ng/mL PP and/or UVA, and challenged with SP. In some experiments, IgE-sensitized mast cells were stimulated by antirat IgE in the presence of phosphatidylserine. Histamine released from mast cells and intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were measured, respectively.

Results: SP at a concentration of 10(-5) mol/L caused a significant histamine release with the increase in [Ca2+]i. PP or UVA irradiation alone at doses used in the present study induced no histamine release from mast cells and had no significant effects on SP-induced histamine release from the cells. On the other hand, PP/UVA inhibited SP-induced histamine release in a dose-dependent manner of UVA with the reduction of SP-induced maximal increases in [Ca2+]i. Comparing with the inhibitory effects of PP/UVA on anti-IgE-induced histamine release from IgE-sensitized mast cells and maximal increases in [Ca2+]i in the cells, the inhibitory effects of PP/UVA on the findings in SP-stimulated mast cells were less.

Conclusion: These data suggest that low doses of PP/UVA inhibits histamine release from SP-activated rat peritoneal mast cells through the suppression of [Ca2+]i.