Modulation of the release of histamine and arachidonic acid metabolites from human basophils and mast cells by auranofin

Abstract

In these experiments the effects of pharmacological concentrations of auranofin, a new absorbable gold compound, were assessed on the release of histamine and peptide leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄) from human basophils and lung mast cells. Auranofin, at pharmacological concentrations, inhibitedin vitro histamine and LTC₄ release from human basophils induced by anti-IgE. Inhibition began at about 3×10⁻⁷ M and was maximum at 10⁻⁵ M. We also evaluated the effect of auranofin on the release of histamine and LTC₄ induced by anti-IgE from mast cells purified from human lung. Auranofin (3×10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁵ M) dose-dependently inhibited the release of histamine and LTC₄ from human lung mast cells. Thus pharmacological concentrations of auranofin cause dose-related inhibition of histamine release andde novo synthesis of LTC₄ by human basophils and lung mast cells.