Collagen-derived peptides release mast cell histamine.

The effect of collagen degradation products by bacterial (BCDP) and synovial fluid collagenase (SCDP) on histamine release from peritoneal mast cells of rat was estimated. Some BCDP as well as SCDP released 60-80% of mast cell histamine. In BCDP fraction the most active were BCDP II (m.wt. 13 kD) and BCDP III (m.wt. 6 kD). The last contained the highest percentage of hydroxyproline. As compared with bradykinin, BCDP III was about 50 fold more active as histamine releaser.