title: Serum inhibitors for human mast cell growth: possible role of retinol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In vitro culture systems have been used to study the physiological and pathological characteristics of human mast cells. However, there are some differences in proliferation and maturation of mast cells between fetal bovine serum (FBS)-containing and serum-deprived cultures. Accordingly, we attempted to identify circulating factor(s) affecting the development of human mast cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured the serum levels of retinol and several cytokines. To elucidate the antiproliferative effects of the serum, a retinoic acid receptor (RARalpha) antagonist and neutralizing antibodies against cytokines were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Similar to FBS, human serum dose-dependently suppressed the growth of tryptase+ cells from CD34+ cord blood cells or 20-week cultured mast cells under stimulation with stem cell factor (SCF). The serum-mediated inhibition might be based on a decline in proliferation rate. Among inhibitors for mast cell growth, retinol and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 were present at high levels in human serum. In contrast with anti-TGF-beta1 antibody, an RARalpha antagonist counteracted the serum-induced suppression of human mast cell proliferation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that retinol and its derivatives act as a circulating regulator for human mast cell growth. The RARalpha antagonist may be a useful tool to obtain higher numbers of mast cells in FBS-containing cultures.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000502:physiology; D000072482:Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006131:Growth Inhibitors; C000607071:RARA protein, human; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D000072482:Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014801:Vitamin A