Interferon α2 and interferon γ induce the degranulation independent production of VEGF-A and IL-1 receptor antagonist and other mediators from human mast cells.

Our findings demonstrate that IFNs have profound impact on cytokine and chemokine expression by human mast cells, alone or in the context of viral infection. Mast cell VEGF and IL-1Ra responses to IFNs could impact the regulation of local inflammatory responses and subsequent tissue remodeling.