ATP plays a role in neurite stimulation with activated mast cells

Previously, we showed that nerve-mast cell cross-talk can occur bidirectionally and that substance P is a mediator to activate mast cells. Here, we have studied the mediators to activate nerves cocultured with mast cells. Addition of antigen to the cocultures of superior cervical ganglia (SCG) and rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBLs) elicited Ca2+ response in RBLs and after a lag period induced Ca2+ signal in SCG neurites. Pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulfonic acid (purinergic receptor antagonist) or apyrase (ATP-hydrolyzing enzyme) reduced the Ca2+ signals in neurites, indicating that ATP released from activated mast cells was one of important mediators to activate nerves.