| Hormone | Location released | Major functions | Interaction with mast cells | Reference |
| Inhibin | Testes, ovaries, placenta, pituitary | Inhibits production of FSH | No known interaction with mast cells | |
| Insulin | Pancreas | Promotes transfer of glucose from blood to liver and muscle
Promotes production of glycogen in liver Promotes liberation of glucose stores in liver |
Increases growth and survival of mast cells
Increases degranulation and mediator release |
Lessmann E, et al. Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 promote mast cell survival via activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway. Experimental Hematology 2006: 34(11), 1532-1541. |
| Insulin like growth factor | Liver | Modulates cell growth and development
Behaves like insulin |
Increases growth and survival of mast cells
Increases degranulation and mediator release |
Lessmann E, et al. Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 promote mast cell survival via activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway. Experimental Hematology 2006: 34(11), 1532-1541. |
| Leptin | Adipose tissue | Decrease of appetite | Activates inflammatory cells and T cell responses
Increases production of TNF, IL-2 and IL-6 Decreases mediator production due to activation of IgE receptor Suppresses secretion of ghrelin |
Taildeman J, et al. Human mast cells express leptin and leptin receptors. Histochem Cell Biol 2009: 131(6), 703-711. |
| Luteinizing hormone (LH) | Pituitary | Stimulates ovulation and formation of corpus luteum
Stimulates testosterone production |
Histamine decreases LH release by acting at H1 receptor.
Histamine increases release of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), also by acting at H1 receptor. |
Miayke A, et al. Involvement of H1 histamine receptor in basal and estrogen-stimulated luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone secretion in rats in vitro. Neuroendocrinology 1987: 45(3), 191-196.
Pontiroli AE, et al. The effect of histamine and H1 and H2 receptors on prolactin and luteinizing hormone release in humans: sex differences and the role of stress. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1981: 52(5), 924-928. |
| Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) | Pituitary | Stimulates melanin production and release
Increases during pregnancy |
MSH can induce apoptosis in mast cells
Dose dependent increase in histamine relief, but not in IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TGFb or TNF |
Sarkar A, et al. alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone induces cell death in mast cells: involvement of NF-kappaB. FEBS Lett 2003: 549(1-3), 87-93.
Grutzkau A, et al. alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone acts as a selective inducer of secretory functions in human mast cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000: 278(1), 14-19. |
| Melatonin | Pineal gland, immune system | Induces sleep and lowers body temperature | Mast cells produce and release melatonin regardless of activation state | Maldonado MD, et al. Evidence of melatonin synthesis and release by mast cells. Possible modulatory role on inflammation. Pharmacol Res 2010: 62(3), 282-287. |