How Mast Cells Release Mediators

Mast cells all have small vesicles called granules, which contain hundreds of chemical mediators that are released when mast cells combine with triggers such as allergy toxins and antigen-IgE interactions. The most common mediator released when mast cells combine with allergenic triggers such as pollen is histamine. Antigens produce IgE after stimulating B cells, and IgE receptors on mast cells bind to and are sensitized by the IgE produced by the antigen; re-exposure of such mast cells to the same antigen results in their release of mediators. The triggers for the release of mediators from mast cells include: allergy toxins such as histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, tumor necrosis factor, neutral proteases, and other substances.