Mechanism of Action of Nerve Growth Factor Induced Histamine Release from Mast Cells during the Inflammation Process

Mast cells and the biogenic amine, histamine, play a central role in inflammatory reactions. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is essetial for the survival of neurones and has significant role in inflammation and repair of tissues. It has been shown, that NGF induces degranulation of mast cells by interacting with tropomyosine-receptor kinase A (TrkA receptor). NGF can induce release of histamine and other mediators from mast cells or enhance secretion induced by different stimuli. The results of our and others previous studies show, that histamine release from mast cells induced by NGF is strongly dependent on the concentration of extracellular Na+ , Ca2+ ions. The extracellular Na+ ions can affect the activity of Na+ /Ca2+ exchanger of mast cells. Na+ , Ca2+ exchange mechanisms could be important in secretory process of mast cells. The studies of different signaling molecules in NGF induced histamine relese have shown that tyrosine kinase, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, protein kinase C and phospholipase C are also involved in the signal transduction process responsible for NGF induced histamine secretion from mast cells. These data indicate that NGF may contribute in allergic reactions and many other inflammatory states.