Biogenic amine and amine precursor uptake by mast cells.

The mast cell population is heterogeneous concerning its amine precursor and amine uptake. The immature cells incorporate amine precursors, but in more advanced stages of their maturation they take up only 5-HTP. The mature cells do not take up precursors only 5-HT. The thyroid gland and heart muscle mast cells take up the highest amount of 5-HT; this may be related with some specific function of the mast cells in these two organs. Neither of the mast cells would take up histamine, the compound is synthetised by the cells.