Expression and functionality of proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) on primary human lung mast cells

Introduction: Mast cell (MC) activation is known to promote anaphylactic reactions as well as the development of allergic and non-allergic inflammatory diseases. Apart from reacting to cross-linking of IgE-receptors by allergen, MC can be activated through a variety of alternative mechanisms. There is initial evidence that also proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) could have a role. PARs belong to the G protein-coupled receptor family and comprise four members (PAR-1 to 4). While the expression of functional PAR-2 on human skin MC as well as mRNA expression for PAR-1, PAR-3 and PAR-4 has been reported recently,…