Table 1

Triggers of mast cell activation

Type of stimuliType of moleculeMolecule/stimuli
ImmuneImmunoglobulinsIgE, IgG, free light chain-Ig (+antigen)
OtherC3a, C5a, IL-4, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ
Non-immuneNeurotransmittersAcetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, histamine
NeuropeptidesSP, VIP, HRP, CGRP, SS, NT, bradykinin
HormonesACTH, CRF, PTH, Ucn, oestradiol
Growth factorsNGF, SCF, TGF-β, FGF-2, VEGF, PD-ECGF
BiologicalLPS, peptidoglycan, Mycobacterium
PhysicochemicalNO, osmotic, thermal, pH, humidity, trauma, pressure, hypoxia, radiation, free radicals
  • Modified from ref.119

  • ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; C3a, complement component 3a; CGRP, calcitonin gene-related peptide; CRF, corticotropin-releasing factor; FGF-2, fibroblast growth factor-2; HRP, histamine-releasing peptide; IFN-γ, interferon gamma; Ig, immunoglobulin; IL, interleukin; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; NGF, nerve growth factor; NO, nitric oxide; NT, neurotensin; VIP, vasoactive intestinal peptide; PD-ECGF, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor; PTH, parathormone; SCF, stem cell factor; SP, substance P; SS, somatostatin; TGF-β, transforming growth factor beta; TNF-α: tumour necrosis factor alpha; Ucn, urocortin; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.