Summary
Treatmentin vitro with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) causes degranulation of dermal mast cells in the skin of the rat's external ear. The magnitude of this effect increases with the concentration of ATP applied. In normal skin there is a marked increase in the proportion of degranulated mast cells with 2.5·10−6M ATP, while in skin denervated for 14 days this increase occurs with 1.25·10−6 M ATP. Thus, denervation is followed by hypersensitivity of the mast cells to ATP. This result is discussed in conjunction with other evidence that ATP may be a neurotransmitter substance released into the skin by impulses travelling antidromically in sensory axons.
Zusammenfassung
In vitro-Behandlung mit Adenosintriphosphat (ATP) verursacht eine Degranulation der dermalen Mastzellen in der äußeren Ohrhaut der Ratte. Die Degranulation nimmt mit der verwendeten ATP-Konzentration zu. In normaler Haut ist die Zahl der degranulierten Mastzellen bei einer Konzentration von 2,5·10−6 M ATP gesteigert, während in einer 14 Tage lang denervierten Haut diese Steigerung bei einer Konzentration von 1,25·10−6 M ATP vorliegt. Die gesteigerte Hypersensibilität der Mastzellen auf ATP ist somit von der Denervation abhängig. Diese Beobachtung unterstützt die Vermutung, daß ATP möglicherweise eine Neurotransmittersubstanz ist, die durch sensible Axonimpulse in der Haut freigesetzt wird.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brodal, A.: Neurological anatomy, 2nd ed. London: Oxford University Press 1969
Burnstock, G.: Purinergic nerves. Pharmacol. Rev.24, 509–581 (1972)
Burnstock, G., Iwayama, T.: Fine structural identification of autonomic nerves and their relation to smooth muscle. Progress in Brain Research34, 389–404 (1971)
Celander, O., Folkow, B.: The nature and distribution of afferent fibres provided with the axon reflex arrangement. Acta physiol. scand.29, 359–370 (1953)
Dulbecco, R., Vogt, M.: Plaque formation and isolation of pure lines with poliomyelitis viruses. J. exp. Med.99, 167–182 (1954)
Eder, M., Schauer, A.: Fermenthistochemische und experimentelle Untersuchungen und Gewebsmastzellen. Beitr. path.-Anat.124, 251–277 (1961)
Holton, P.: The liberation of adenosine triphosphate on antidromic stimulation of sensory nerves. J. Physiol. (Lond.),145, 494–504 (1959)
Holton, F. A., Holton, P.: The capillary dilator substance in dry powders of spinal roots; a possible role of adenosine triphosphate in chemical transmission from nerve endings. J. Physiol. (Lond.)126, 124–140 (1954)
Holton, P., Perry, W. L. M.: On the transmitter responsible for antidromic vasodilatation in the rabbit's ear. J. Physiol. (Lond.)114, 240–251 (1951)
Kiernan, J. A.: Degranulation of mast cells following antidromic stimulation of cutaneous nerves. J. Anat. (Lond.)111, 349–350 (1971)
Kiernan, J. A.: The involvement of mast cells in vasodilatation due to axon reflexes in injured skin. Quart. J. exp. Physiol.57, 311–317 (1972a)
Kiernan, J. A.: Effects of known and suspected neurotransmitter substances and of some nucleotides on isolated mast cells. Experientia (Basel)28, 653–655 (1972b)
Lewis, T.: The blood vessels of the human skin and their responses. London: Shaw 1927
McLennan, H.: Synaptic transmission, 2nd ed. Philadelphia and London: Saunders 1967
Mosonyi, J.: Über die Wirkung von Atropin auf Antidrom erzeugte Gefäßerweiterung. Pflügers Arch.217, 131–133 (1927)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kiernan, J.A. Action of adenosine triphosphate on mast cells in normal and denervated skin. Arch. Derm. Forsch. 251, 83–86 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00561714
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00561714