Characterisation of MRGPRX2 + mast cells in irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND: Mast cell activation is an important driver of abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While evidence supports the role of IgE-mediated mast cell activation in visceral pain development in IBS, the role of pseudoallergic MRGPRX2-mediated mast cell activation in this process remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether MRGPRX2-mediated mast cell activation plays a role in abdominal pain development in patients with IBS. DESIGN: mast cell frequency, MRGPRX2 expression per cell, mast cell degranulation kinetics in response to MRGPRX2 agonists, MRGPRX2 agonistic activity and presence of MRGPRX2 agonists in biopsy supernatants were assessed. RESULTS: mast cells was unaltered in IBS, submucosal mast cells showed increased degranulation in response to MRGPRX2 agonists in IBS compared with HV. MRGPRX2 agonistic activity was increased in IBS rectal biopsy supernatant compared with HV, which was associated with increased levels of substance P. CONCLUSION: The MRGPRX2 pathway is functionally upregulated in the colon of patients with IBS, supporting its role in abdominal pain in IBS.