Stem cell factor and igE-stimulated murine mast cells produce chemokines (CCL2, CCL17, CCL22) and express chemokine receptors.
OBJECTIVE
In the present study we investigated the effect of SCF and/or IgE on histamine, TNF-alpha and chemokines released from bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) as well as chemokine receptor expression.


METHODS
BMMC were derived from femoral bone marrow of CBA/J mice. The purity of BMMC was >98% after 3 weeks. BMMC (2.5 x 10(6) cells/well) were incubated in the presence or absence of either SCF, IgE plus DNP or a combination of SCF and IgE for 6 and 18 h. Cell-free supernatants were recovered to measure CC chemokines, TNF-alpha and histamine release utilizing ELISA assays. CC chemokine family receptors were detected by RT-PCR analysis, and confirmed using functional chemotactic assays.


RESULTS
Histamine levels were comparable between SCF and IgE stimulated cells, whereas TNF-alpha production was significantly greater after IgE compared to SCF stimulation. SCF and/or IgE-stimulated BMMC released CC chemokines, CCL22 (MDC), CCL17 (TARC) and CCL2 (MCP-1). Increased mRNA expression of CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, and CCR5 was detected in SCF and IgE-stimulated BMMCs. Functional chemotactic assays confirmed the expression data.


CONCLUSIONS
SCF and IgE can up-regulate the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors on mast cells. Thus, SCF may play a significant role in their activation and inflammation during allergic responses.
Oliveira
S H
SH
University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Pathology, Ann Arbor 48109-0602, USA.
Lukacs
N W
NW
D000818:Animals; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002633:Chemotaxis; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D019742:Chemokines, CC; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007073:Immunoglobulin E