Interleukin 4 is localized to and released by human mast cells.
Recent attention has focused on the T helper type 2 (Th2) lymphocyte as a source of interleukin 4 (IL-4) in allergic disease. However, Th2 cells themselves require a pulse of IL-4 to initiate this synthesis. Here we provide immunohistochemical evidence of IL-4 localization to human mast cells of the skin and respiratory tract, and demonstrate that immunoglobulin E-dependent stimulation of purified human lung mast cells leads to the rapid release of IL-4 into the extracellular environment. We propose that mast cell activation in an allergic response provides a rapid and local pulse of IL-4 into the local environment essential for the triggering of T lymphocytes into sustained IL-4 production and to initiate inflammatory cell accumulation and activation.
Bradding
P
P
Immunopharmacology Group, Medicine I, Southampton General Hospital, United Kingdom.
Feather
I H
IH
Howarth
P H
PH
Mueller
R
R
Roberts
J A
JA
Britten
K
K
Bews
J P
JP
Hunt
T C
TC
Okayama
Y
Y
Heusser
C H
CH
D046508:Culture Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D015847:Interleukin-4