The release of prostaglandin D 2 from human skin in vivo and in vitro during immediate allergic reactions

• Published in: British journal of pharmacology Vol. 94; no. 3; pp. 773 - 780
• Main Authors: Barr, R.M., Koro, O., Francis, D.M., Black, A. Kobza, Numata, T., Greaves, M.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-07-1988
• ISSN: 0007-1188; 1476-5381
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1988.tb11588.x

The release of prostaglandin D
2
(PGD
2
) during immediate allergic reactions in human skin was investigated
in vivo
and
in vitro
.
Skin exudates were collected from abraded sites on the thigh of atopic subjects sensitive to
D. pteronyssinus
antigen and from non‐atopic control subjects. Challenge with antigen caused the release of PGD
2
and histamine, but not PGE
2
, from the skin of the atopic subjects. The molar ratio of histamine to PGD
2
was about 140:1. Control subjects were unresponsive.
PGD
2
was released from passively sensitized human skin challenged with antigen
in vitro
. The time course was similar
in vitro
and
in vivo
. The ratio of histamine to PGD
2
in vitro
was 78:1.
The identities of the prostaglandins were confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay to PGD
2
and PGE
2
.
PGD
2
is the major arachidonic acid cyclo‐oxygenase product synthesized by human mast cells. It is pro‐inflammatory in human skin but its functions as a mediator in immediate hypersensitivity reactions in human skin are not clear. The results of this study suggest that, relative to histamine, PGD
2
contributes little to the oedema and erythema of immediate reactions in human skin.