Release of soluble tryptase but only minor amounts of chymase activity from cutaneous mast cells

Tryptase and chymase are the major serine proteinases of skin mast cells but their biologic significance depends on their activity. In this study, we demonstrate the release of soluble activity of tryptase, but not markedly that of chymase, into skin blister fluids induced by freezing with liquid nitrogen as well as into supernatant during incubation of 8 whole skin specimens with compound 48/80 for up to 2 days followed by sonication. Incubation of 3 other skin specimens in compound 48/80 for up to 2 days revealed that the number of mast cells displaying tryptase activity decreased significantly on day 2, and the number of mast cells showing chymase activity (but not those showing chymase immunoreactivity) decreased significantly on day I but not thereafter on day 2. The results of 3 skin organ cultures for up to 14 days showed steady decrease in the number of tryptase-positive cells but persistence of mast cells containing chymase activity. Chymase in solution was sensitively inhibited by 0.01 mg/ml alpha (1)-antichymotrypsin but higher concentrations (0.3-3.0 mg/ml) were needed for inhibiting chymase on skin sections. In conclusion, after mast cell degranulation tryptase activity is substantially solubilized and it may potentially affect both local and distant skin structures. Instead, chymase is partially inactivated and the remaining chymase activity persists at the site of degranulation having only local effects.