骨髓间充质干细胞分泌细胞因子与腹腔肥大细胞膜的稳定性

背景：研究表明骨髓间充质干细胞分泌的细胞因子对特异性和非特异性免疫细胞具有免疫调节作用,所以有必要深入研究其对肥大细胞的作用。 目的：探讨骨髓间充质干细胞分泌因子对特异性和非特异性诱发肥大细胞脱颗粒、释放炎性递质的影响。 方法：采用全骨髓贴壁法分离和纯化大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,收集培养第3代的骨髓间充质干细胞上清液获取干细胞分泌因子。分离培养大鼠腹腔肥大细胞,分别以大鼠抗卵蛋白血清特异性被动致敏腹腔肥大细胞和用Compound48/80非特异性致敏肥大细胞。 结果与结论：干细胞因子、酮替芬均能抑制特异性和非特异性诱发肥大细胞脱颗粒和释放类胰蛋白酶,与模型对照组相比差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05),但干细胞因子抑制特异性和非特异性诱发肥大细胞脱颗粒和释放类胰蛋白酶的效果均不如酮替芬组(P < 0.05)。结果表明干细胞分泌的细胞因子具有稳定肥大细胞膜,减轻其脱颗粒、释放炎症递质的作用。     

The role and relevance of mast cells in urticaria

This review presents evidence that the skin mast cell, in particular the MC_TC subtype, is the primary effector cell in urticaria. Mast cells are located in the upper dermis, the ideal situation for wheal formation and sensory nerve stimulation. Increased numbers of mast cells are found in both lesional and non-lesional skin in CSU and inducible urticaria. Mast cell degranulation in the area of wheals has been demonstrated repeatedly by light and electron microscopy. Histamine, PGD₂ and tryptase are found in the venous blood draining wheal formation. The last 2 are specific for mast cells rather than basophils. Mast cell reactivity is increased in active urticaria by local inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptides. Mast cell cytokines and neuropeptides, particularly nerve growth factor, induce a Th2 type inflammation that is particularly obvious at the sites of whealing. In conclusion, autoimmunity, either of Type 1 viz. IgE antibodies to local autoallergens, or Type 2b, viz. IgG autoantibodies to IgE or its receptor, are considered to be the most frequent causes of CSU. In both cases, the mast cell is likely to be the axial cell in producing the wheals.     

IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation and recovery monitored by time-lapse photography.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells are long-lived resident cells that are of great importance in an allergic reaction. It has previously been suggested that after IgE-mediated degranulation mast cells can undergo regranulation. Such a process is probably of great importance with respect to the severity and perpetuation of the allergic response. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate whether mast cells recover from degranulation and whether they still have the potential to release a granule-associated mediator and upregulate certain cytokine genes. METHODS: Mouse mast cells were repeatedly activated by IgE and specific antigen with a 24-hour or 48-hour interval. During each of the 2 activation stages, release of beta-hexosaminidase was measured by means of enzymatic colorimetric analysis, and IL-13 and IL-6 mRNA was detected by ribonuclease protection assay. Both scanning electron microscopy and time-lapse photography were used to reveal the process of mast cell recovery. RESULTS: We found that re-activation of degranulated mast cells in response to high-affinity IgE-receptor cross-linkage triggers beta-hexosaminidase release and upregulation of IL-13 and IL-6 gene expression levels similar to what is seen in the initial activation. Scanning electron microscopy documented cells at various stages during the recovery process 30 minutes after the activation. With time-lapse photography, a single cell that had undergone degranulation could be visualized consecutively during its recovery process. CONCLUSION: Mast cells can recover after an IgE-mediated activation and can repeatedly release beta-hexosaminidase and express IL-6 and IL-13 mRNA after re-activation.     

Differential release of mast cell mediators and the pathogenesis of inflammation

Summary:  Mast cells are well known for their involvement in allergic and anaphylactic reactions, during which immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor (FcɛRI) aggregation leads to exocytosis of the content of secretory granules (1000 nm), commonly known as degranulation, and secretion of multiple mediators. Recent findings implicate mast cells also in inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, where mast cells appear to be intact by light microscopy. Mast cells can be activated by bacterial or viral antigens, cytokines, growth factors, and hormones, leading to differential release of distinct mediators without degranulation. This process appears to involve de novo synthesis of mediators, such as interleukin-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor, with release through secretory vesicles (50 nm), similar to those in synaptic transmission. Moreover, the signal transduction steps necessary for this process appear to be largely distinct from those known in FcɛRI-dependent degranulation. How these differential mast cell responses are controlled is still unresolved. No clinically available pharmacological agents can inhibit either degranulation or mast cell mediator release. Understanding this process could help develop mast cell inhibitors of selective mediator release with novel therapeutic applications.     

Mast cells are involved in inflammatory reactions during Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1

BACKGROUND: The Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type 1 (CRPS1) is a complication of surgery or trauma but spontaneous development is also described. Although the pathogenesis remains debatable, afferent, efferent and central nervous system mechanisms are proposed. Recently we showed involvement of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFalpha which is direct evidence for an inflammatory process. Many types of cells, such as activated T lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages and skin resident cells like mast cells, could contribute to the production of cytokines. Involvement of mast cells is relatively easy to detect by measurement of tryptase. AIM: To establish whether mast cells are involved in the inflammatory reactions during CRPS1. METHODS: Twenty patients fulfilling the Bruehl criteria with CRPS1 in one extremity were studied. Impairment was assessed by registration of pain and measurement of differences in temperature, volume and mobility between the involved and uninvolved extremity. Blisters were made with a suction method in order to determine cytokines and mast cell derived tryptase in the involved and uninvolved extremity. RESULTS: In the blister fluid a significant difference (median +/- interquartile range, Wilcoxon signed-ranks test P < 0.05) was found between the involved and uninvolved extremity in IL-6 [53.5 (17.3-225) versus 6.2 (2-20.3) pg/ml], TNFalpha [31 (15.5-131.5) versus 8 (4-39) pg/ml], and tryptase [37 (20.5-62.3) versus 12.5 (6.7-23.5) ng/ml]. There was a significant correlation (0.455) between the intensity of pain and tryptase levels in the involved extremity (Spearman's test, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mast cells are involved in inflammatory reactions during the CRPS1. Mast cells could play a role in the production of cytokines such as TNFalpha.     

Changing the threshold—Signals and mechanisms of mast cell priming

Mast cells play a key role in allergy and other inflammatory diseases involving engagement of multivalent antigen with IgE bound to high-affinity IgE receptors (FcεRIs). Aggregation of FcεRIs on mast cells initiates a cascade of signaling events that eventually lead to degranulation, secretion of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, and cytokine and chemokine production contributing to the inflammatory response. Exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, bacterial and viral products, as well as some other biological products and drugs, induces mast cell transition from the basal state into a primed one, which leads to enhanced response to IgE-antigen complexes. Mast cell priming changes the threshold for antigen-mediated activation by various mechanisms, depending on the priming agent used, which alone usually do not induce mast cell degranulation. In this review, we describe the priming processes induced in mast cells by various cytokines (stem cell factor, interleukins-4, -6 and -33), chemokines, other agents acting through G protein-coupled receptors (adenosine, prostaglandin E₂, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and β-2-adrenergic receptor agonists), toll-like receptors, and various drugs affecting the cytoskeleton. We will review the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms behind priming of mast cells leading to degranulation and cytokine production and discuss the biological effects of mast cell priming induced by several cytokines.     

Quercetin inhibits expression of inflammatory cytokines through attenuation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK in HMC-1 human mast cell line

Objective and design: Mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation is involved in many diseases such as asthma, sinusitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Mast cells induce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines with immune regulatory properties. We investigated the effect of quercetin on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in human mast cell line, HMC-1. Methods: HMC-1 cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI). Results: Quercetin decreased the gene expression and production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Quercetin attenuated PMACI-induced activation of NF-κB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that quercetin may suitable for the treatment of mast cell-derived allergic inflammatory diseases. Received 18 October 2006; returned for revision 26 November 2006; accepted by A. Falus 4 December 2006     

芝麻素通过PKCα/ NF-κB 信号途径抑制肥大细胞活化

目的:观察芝麻素对肥大细胞活化和炎症介质释放的影响并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法:体外培养HMC-1细胞,用10 μg/ ml 的anti-DNP IgE 处理细胞6 h 后,再用100 ng/ ml 的DNP-HAS 孵育10 min 诱导HMC-1 细胞活化,在DNP-HAS 处理前给予最终浓度25、50 和100 μg/ L 芝麻素预处理30 min 后光镜下观察芝麻素对肥大细胞脱颗粒的影响,ELISA 法检测芝麻素对肥大细胞组胺、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β、IL-8 释放的影响,Western blot 方法观察芝麻素对Fc RI 受体下游信号Lyn 和 Syk,PKC琢激活,IκB琢磷酸化和NF-κB 活化的影响。结果:DNP-HAS 能明显诱导HMC-1 细胞脱颗粒,促进组胺和TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β和IL-8 等细胞因子的释放,激活Fc着RI 受体下游信号分子Lyn、Syk 和PKCα,磷酸化IκBα,促进NF-κB 活化(P<0.05)。芝麻素高(100 μg/ L)、中(50 μg/ L)浓度能明显抑制HMC-1 细胞脱颗粒和炎症介质的释放,阻断Fc着RI 受体下游信号激活,抑制NF-κB 活化(P<0.05)。结论:芝麻素通过PKCα/ NF-κB 途径抑制肥大细胞活化和炎症介质释放。     

Dexamethasone inhibits maturation, cytokine production and FcεRI expression of human cord blood-derived mast cells

BACKGROUND: Mast cells are responsible for eliciting the early phase and for contributing to the development of the late phase of allergic reactions, through the release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the glucocorticoid dexamethasone has a direct effect on mast cell progenitor maturation and on mature cord blood-derived mast cell properties. METHODS: Mast cells were obtained by culturing human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells with stem cell factor, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2. Mast cell numbers were assessed by Toluidine Blue staining and immunocytochemistry of tryptase positive cells. The expression of Fc epsilon RI, CD49d and c-kit was assessed by flow cytometry. Histamine release was determined by a radioenzymatic assay. Cys-LT, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha production and release were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Dexamethasone (10(-6) M-10(-9) M) time- and dose-dependently inhibited the maturation of the mast cell progenitors. Dexamethasone did not affect the basal expression of Fc epsilon RI, CD49d and c-kit, but it inhibited the IgE-dependent enhanced expression of Fc epsilon RI. Dexamethasone (10(-6) M-10(-9) M) had no significant effect on Fc epsilon RI-dependent histamine release or the synthesis and release of Cys-LT from the mature mast cells. However, pre-incubation of the mast cell cultures with dexamethasone for 1 h, prior to cross-linking of Fc epsilon RI, dose-dependently inhibited the production and secretion of both GM-CSF and TNF-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: From these in vitro data we propose that glucocorticosteroids are effective drugs in the management of allergic inflammation due to their capacity to inhibit mast cell development, IgE-dependent Fc epsilon RI expression and mast cell production of GM-CSF and TNF-alpha.     

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand effects in RBL2H3 cells

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates toxic effects of dioxin and xenobiotic metabolism. AHR has an emerging role in the immune system, but its physiological ligands and functional role in immunocytes remain poorly understood. Mast cells are immunocytes that are central to inflammatory responses and release a spectrum of pro-inflammatory mediators including histamine, mast cell proteases, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 upon stimulation. The aim was to investigate the AHR in model mast cells and examine how both putative and known AHR ligands, e.g., kynurenine, kynurenic acid (KA), Resveratrol, indolmycin, and violacein, affect mast cell activation and signaling. These ligands were tested on calcium signaling, degranulation, and gene expression. The data show that AHR is present in three model mast cell lines, and that various known and putative AHR ligands regulate gene expression of Cyp1a1, a gene down-stream of AHR. Furthermore, it was found that calcium influxes and mast cell secretory responses were enhanced or suppressed after chronic treatment with AHR agonists or antagonists, and that AHR ligands modified RBL2H3 cell degranulation. AHR ligands can chronically change cytokine gene expression in activated mast cells, as exemplified by IL-6. The antagonist Resveratrol repressed expression of induced IL-6 gene expression. Although KA and kynurenine are both AHR agonists, these ligands behaved differently in regards to degranulation and IL-6 expression, indicating that they may function outside of AHR pathways. These data suggest considerable complexity in RBL2H3 responses to AHR ligands, with implications for understanding of both dioxin pathology and the immunological effects of endogenous AHR ligands.     

Tumour necrosis factor stimulates human skin mast cells to release histamine and tryptase

Besides its effects on tumour cells, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) also acts on a variety of other cells, thus enhancing inflammatory and immune processes. In view of the prominent role of the mast cell in such processes, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of recombinant TNF-alpha on human mast cells. Mast cells from the infant foreskin obtained during circumcision were dispersed by an enzymatic technique using collagenase and hyaluronidase. Cells thus obtained were pooled, washed and separated by Percoll gradient centrifugation. Mast cells, with a purity of 70-90% were incubated for 60 min with 10(-11) to 10(-7) M rTNF-alpha. Histamine and tryptase levels were assessed in the cell supernatant by spectrofluorometry and radioimmunoassay (RIA) respectively. A concentration dependent release of histamine was observed, which reached a maximum of 11.5 +/- 2.2 nmol/10(6) cells at 10(-8) M rTNF. Release of tryptase was also concentration dependent and reached a maximum of 293 +/- 105 mU/10(6) cells (10(-8) rTNF). rTNF-alpha thus appears to be a direct stimulus for mast cells to degranulate and to release both histamine and tryptase.     

Mast cells and T cells in Kimura''s disease express increased levels of interleukin-4, interleukin-5, eotaxin and RANTES

BACKGROUND: Kimura's disease (KD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by tumours in the head and neck region, enlarged lymph nodes, increased eosinophil counts andhigh serum IgE. Mast cells are known to play a central role in IgE-mediated allergic diseases through the release of inflammatory mediators like IL-4, IL-5 and chemokines. We hypothesized that mast cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of KD by regulating eosinophilic infiltration and IgE synthesis. OBJECTIVE: In order to investigate the role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of KD, we examined the expression of cytokines/chemokines in the lesions of KD. METHODS: We examined the number of tryptase+ cells, EG2+ cells, CD3+ cells, IL-4+ cells, IL-5+ cells, eotaxin+ cells, RANTES+ cells and CCR3+ cells in five specimens of KD versus normal tissues by immunohistochemistry. The sources of IL-4, IL-5, eotaxin and RANTES and the expression of CCR3 were examined by immunostaining of serial sections with antibodies to IL-4, IL-5, eotaxin, RANTES and CCR3, and antibodies to tryptase, ECP (EG2) and CD3. RESULTS: Mast cells, activated eosinophils, T cells, IL-4+ cells, IL-5+ cells, eotaxin+ cells, RANTES+ cells and CCR3+ cells were all increased in the lesions of KD as compared with those in normal tissue. Mast cells and T cells were the major source of IL-4, whereas mast cells, T cells and activated eosinophils were the main source of IL-5. Mast cells, T cells and activated eosinophils were the main source of eotaxin and RANTES. CONCLUSIONS: The number of IL-4, IL-5, eotaxin and RANTES-expressing mast cells and T cells were increased in the lesions of KD. As mast cells are lesional resident cells, these cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of KD by regulating IgE synthesis and orchestrating eosinophilic infiltration.     

Ultraviolet B irradiation selectively increases the production of interleukin-8 in human cord blood-derived mast cells

UVB irradiation modulates immune responses in the skin and is a major cause of sunburn, during which neutrophils accumulate in the skin. Because of their abundance in skin and ability to produce a variety of proinflammatory mediators, we propose that mast cells may play a key role in ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin inflammation. Cord blood-derived human mast cells were treated in vitro with varying doses of UVB and production of multiple cytokines was measured in culture supernatants. UVB exposure significantly increased the release of interleukin (IL)-8 and modestly increased IL-1alpha production, but cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma were unaffected. Cycloheximide reduced the UVB-mediated induction of IL-8 by 30-40%, suggesting that new protein synthesis contributed to IL-8 production. In line with this, UVB treatment of mast cells significantly increased IL-8 mRNA. In contrast to its effect on IL-8 production, optimal doses of UVB did not provoke histamine or tryptase release, indicating little effect on degranulation. Our data suggest that mast cells may play a major role during UVB-induced acute inflammation by selectively inducing cytokines involved in neutrophil recruitment.     

Bone marrow-derived mast cell differentiation is strongly reduced in histidine decarboxylase knockout, histamine-free mice

Mast cells are differentiated in vitro from bone marrow precursors. In this study the development of bone marrow-derived mast cells was examined from histidine decarboxylase deficient (HDC-/-) and wild-type mice in the presence of IL-3. The number of non-adherent, tryptase- and c-kit-positive mast cells in bone marrow-derived cultures of HDC(-/-) mice was decreased compared to that of wild-type (HDC+/+) animals, but within the tryptase- and c-kit-positive cells there was no difference in the expression intensity of both markers between the two groups. Furthermore, less serine proteases mMCP5, mMCP6 and FcepsilonRIalpha mRNA were detected in bone marrow-derived cell cultures originating from HDC-/- mice. Antigen-provoked degranulation through high-affinity FcepsilonI receptor was also lower in HDC-/- mice. The colony assays in semisolid medium yielded a significantly lower ratio of mixed colonies and higher proportion of macrophage colonies from HDC-/- mice-derived bone marrow compared to the wild-type. In the course of the differentiation of HDC-/- --derived mast cells exogenously added histamine is unable to substitute the endogenously missing histamine. Concordantly, alpha-fluoromethyl-histamine, the specific inhibitor of HDC, revealed only a marginal inhibition on the differentiation of tryptase-positive mast cells from wild-type mice. These findings suggest that the effect of histamine on the IL-3-dependent development of bone marrow-derived mast cell differentiation during the early period is crucial and irreplaceable.     

Rectal administration of tranilast ameliorated acute colitis in mice through increased expression of heme oxygenase‐1

Mast cells play a key role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Tranilast, a mast cell stabilizer, has been empirically used for IBD in Japan, but its precise role in the treatment of IBD is largely unknown. To investigate the role of tranilast for the treatment of IBD, tranilast was administered intrarectally to mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis. Tranilast ameliorated DSS colitis clinically and pathologically, as demonstrated by decreased number and degranulation of mast cells in the colon. mRNA expression was increased for tumor necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ and interleukin (IL)‐6, and decreased for IL‐10 in the colon of DSS colitis mice. In contrast, tranilast markedly decreased expression of mRNAs for the pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and increased that of the anti‐inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, tranilast increased heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 expression on colonic epithelial cells as well as on colon‐infiltrating cells of DSS colitis. In conclusion, tranilast ameliorated DSS colitis by regulating mast cell degranulation, decreasing inflammatory cytokines and increasing anti‐inflammatory cytokines. Tranilast might exert these effects partly through enhanced HO‐1 expression in the colon, suggesting a potential adjunctive therapy for IBD.     

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand effects in RBL2H3 cells

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates toxic effects of dioxin and xenobiotic metabolism. AHR has an emerging role in the immune system, but its physiological ligands and functional role in immunocytes remain poorly understood. Mast cells are immunocytes that are central to inflammatory responses and release a spectrum of pro-inflammatory mediators including histamine, mast cell proteases, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 upon stimulation. The aim was to investigate the AHR in model mast cells and examine how both putative and known AHR ligands, e.g., kynurenine, kynurenic acid (KA), Resveratrol, indolmycin, and violacein, affect mast cell activation and signaling. These ligands were tested on calcium signaling, degranulation, and gene expression. The data show that AHR is present in three model mast cell lines, and that various known and putative AHR ligands regulate gene expression of Cyp1a1, a gene down-stream of AHR. Furthermore, it was found that calcium influxes and mast cell secretory responses were enhanced or suppressed after chronic treatment with AHR agonists or antagonists, and that AHR ligands modified RBL2H3 cell degranulation. AHR ligands can chronically change cytokine gene expression in activated mast cells, as exemplified by IL-6. The antagonist Resveratrol repressed expression of induced IL-6 gene expression. Although KA and kynurenine are both AHR agonists, these ligands behaved differently in regards to degranulation and IL-6 expression, indicating that they may function outside of AHR pathways. These data suggest considerable complexity in RBL2H3 responses to AHR ligands, with implications for understanding of both dioxin pathology and the immunological effects of endogenous AHR ligands.     

A novel technique for isolating functional mast cells from the heart

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of adapting peritoneal and pleural mast cell isolation techniques to recover cardiac mast cells that retain their functional response to the secretagogue, compound 48/80. METHODS: Using a novel protocol in rats, viable epicardial mast cells were recovered by aspiration of HBSS injected into the pericardial space. Functionality of these cells was determined by ELISA quantification of histamine release in response to compound 48/80, calcium ionophore A23187 and substance P. Mast cell phenotype was determined based on the presence of chymase and tryptase demonstrated by immunofluorescence, alcian blue-safranin staining, and Western blotting. RESULTS: Mast cells isolated in this manner have low basal rates of histamine release and are highly responsive to these secretagogues. These epicardial mast cells were of the connective tissue type, which is consistent with previous reports characterizing cardiac mast cells isolated from the heart by enzymatic dispersion techniques. CONCLUSIONS: This novel pericardial aspiration technique facilitates the straightforward characterization of isolated epicardial mast cell functionality in a controlled in vitro environment, furthering our understanding of their contribution to myocardial disease.     

Mast cells and cancer: enemies or allies?

Mast cells are a component of cancer microenvironment the role of which is complex and poorly understood. Mast cells promote cancer growth by stimulation of neoangiogenesis, tissue remodeling and by modulation of the host immune response. The mediators of cancer promotion include protease-activated receptors, mitogen activated protein kinases, prostaglandins and histamine. Histamine may induce tumor proliferation and immunosuppression through H1 and H2 receptors, respectively. The mast cell-derived modulators of immune response include also interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and CD30L. Possibly stimulation of angiogenesis is the most important. Mast cells release potent proangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), TNF- α and IL-8, and mast cells' enzymes, like metaloproteinases (MMPs), tryptase and chymase participate in vessels' formation. The anti-cancer actions of mast cells include direct growth inhibition, immunologic stimulation, inhibition of apoptosis and decreased cell mobility; the mediators of these processes include chymase, tryptase, TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6. The very same mediators may exert both pro- or anti-cancer effects depending on concentration, presence of cofactors or location of secreting cells. In fact, peri- and intra-tumoral mast cells may have dissimilar effects. Understanding of the role of mast cells in cancer could lead to improved prognostication and development of therapeutic methods targeting the mast cells.     

Human mast cells release Interleukin-8 and induce neutrophil chemotaxis on contact with activated T cells

BACKGROUND: Mast cells have recently been shown to control neutrophil recruitment during T-cell mediated cutaneous DTH reaction in vivo through TNF-alpha and MIP-2, the functional murine analogue of human IL-8. Although the nature of signals transmitted from T cells which activate mast cells has not yet been defined, we hypothesized that a direct cross-talk (i.e. heterotypic adhesion) between these two cell populations exists, as has previously been reported. AIMS: The present study was aimed at gaining insight into the functional role of mast cell-T cell contact in expression and release of IL-8, and its effect on neutrophil chemotaxis. METHODS: The IL-8 gene expression was identified by Affymetrix GeneChip arrays, validated by RT-PCR and the protein measured by ELISA. Chemotaxis was evaluated by using a modified Boyden chamber assay. RESULTS: Mast cells were found to express and release significantly higher concentrations of IL-8 on incubation with membranes obtained from activated, as compared to resting T cells. Supernatants obtained from these activated mast cells induced significant neutrophil chemotaxis that was inhibited by neutralizing mAb to IL-8. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, activated T cells, on heterotypic adhesion to mast cells, deliver the necessary signals for the latter to release cytokines and chemokines necessary for cell migration to sites of antigen challenge, thereby facilitating T-cell mediated inflammatory processes.