Lung mast cells are a source of secreted phospholipases A(2).

Background—Secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) are released in plasma and other biologic fluids of patients with inflammatory, autoimmune, and allergic diseases. Objective—We sought to evaluate sPLA2 activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatic patients and to examine the expression and release of sPLA2s from primary human lung mast cells (HLMCs). Methods—sPLA2 activity was measured in BALF and supernatants of either unstimulated or anti- IgE–activated HLMCs as hydrolysis of oleic acid from radiolabeled Escherichia coli membranes. Expression of sPLA2s was examined by using RT-PCR. The release of cysteinyl leukotriene (LT) C4 was measured by means of enzyme immunoassay. Results—Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity was higher in the BALF of asthmatic patients than in the control group. BALF PLA2 activity was blocked by the sPLA2 inhibitors dithiothreitol and Me- Indoxam but not by the cytosolic PLA2 inhibitor AZ-1. HLMCs spontaneously released a PLA2 activity that was increased on stimulation with anti-IgE. This PLA2 activity was blocked by dithiothreitol and Me-Indoxam but not by AZ-1. HLMCs constitutively express mRNA for group IB, IIA, IID, IIE, IIF, III, V, X, XIIA, and XIIB sPLA2s. Anti-IgE did not modify the expression of sPLA2s. The cell-impermeable inhibitor Me-Indoxam significantly reduced (up to 40%) the production of LTC4 from anti-IgE–stimulated HLMCs. Conclusions—sPLA2 activity is increased in the airways of asthmatic patients. HLMCs express multiple sPLA2s and release 1 or more of them when activated by anti-IgE. The sPLA2s released by mast cells contribute to LTC4 production by acting in an autocrine fashion. Mast cells can be a source of sPLA2s in the airways of asthmatic patients.