Mast cells are bone marrow-derived, ubiquitous connective tissue resident cells. However, their mechanisms of migration, the distribution of immature and mature cells and their interaction with other inflammatory cells are largely unclarified. Possibly, beta 2-integrins play an important role in these processes. In the present investigation, the authors studied the expression and regulation of the beta 2-integrins LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18), p150,95 (CD11c/CD18) and of the LFA-1/Mac-1 counter-receptor intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; CD54) on leukaemic (HMC-1 cell subclone 5C6) and on normal mature human skin mast cells. The HMC-1 cells clearly expressed CD11a, CD18 and CD54, while expression of CD11b and CD11c was low. The apparent molecular weights were 180 kDa (CD11a), 95 kDa (CD18) and 90 kDa (CD54) as determined by Western blot analysis. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induced a time- and dose-dependent up-regulation of CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD18 and CD54 that was inhibited by cycloheximide, suggesting a dependence on de novo protein synthesis. Enhanced expression of CD11a, CD11b, CD11c and CD18 could also be confirmed at the gene level as demonstrated by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Increased expression of LFA-1/ICAM-1 in response to PMA was accompanied by strong enhancement of homotypic cell aggregation, suggesting that newly synthesized LFA-1/ICAM-1 is functionally active. In order to determine a physiologically relevant way of mast cell beta 2-integrin modulation, several cytokines and chemotactic mediators (interleukin-4, IL-4; nerve growth factor beta, NGF beta; C5a; and leukotriene B4, LTB4) were tested for their influence on adhesion molecule cell surface density. Only LTB4 was shown specifically to up-regulate CD11a and CD18, but not CD11b or CD11c. The presence of CD11a, CD11c and CD18 could be confirmed on a low percentage of normal skin mast cells by immunofluorescence, using a double staining technique. In comparison to normal skin, a significantly higher percentage of CD18+ mast cells was found in inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis vulgaris, atopic dermatitis and lichen planus. Therefore, mast cell beta 2-integrins possibly play an important role during homing of immature mast cells as well as during the interaction of activated mast cells with other inflammatory cells.