Enhanced release of IgE-dependent early phase mediators from nasal polyp tissue

Background The mast cell is a crucial effector cell in allergic rhinitis and other inflammatory diseases. During the acute allergic reaction preformed mediators such as histamine, but also de novo produced mediators such as leukotrienes (LTC4/D4/E4) and prostaglandins (PGD2) are released. Mast cells represent targets for therapeutic intervention, and thus a human ex-vivo model to stimulate mast cells taken from mucosal sites would be instrumental for drug intervention studies. We have aimed to activate mast cells within ex-vivo human nasal tissue by IgE/anti-IgE specific (e chain specific) stimulations and in this respect to test the usability of nasal polyps versus inferior turbinates