Assessment of usefulness of J774A.1 macrophages for the assay of IL-1beta promoter activity.

Existing data indicate that the increase of il-1beta gene expression can be a promising marker of Langerhans cells activation after exposure to contact sensitizers. In this study, we were interested in development of an alternative in vitro screening test detecting such sensitizers. Two IL-1beta reporter constructs containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene and mouse IL-1beta promoter fragments of varying lengths (-500 bp and -4093 bp) were used for transient transfections of J771A.1 murine monocyte-macrophage cells. As a result of the transfections performed using Lipofectamine reagent we did not observe any GFP fluorescence after stimulation of the cells with LPS as well as known sensitizers (potassium tetrachloroplatinate, dinitrochlorobenzene and nickel sulfate). Low transfection efficiency of J774A.1 cells (less than 0.1%) was confirmed using control plasmid containing GFP gene under the control of cytomegalovirus promoter. The fact that, using the same conditions, we were able to transfect murine fibroblasts 3T3-L1 with the control plasmid very efficiently, may support the theory of high metabolic activity of macrophages being responsible for the extremely low transfection efficiency. These data suggest limited suitability of J774A.1 cell line for transient transfections using cationic liposomes.

The Kit-activating mutation D816V enhances stem cell factor--dependent chemotaxis.

The D816V mutation of c-kit has been detected in patients with mastocytosis. This mutation leads to constitutive tyrosine kinase activation of Kit. Because stem cell factor (SCF), the ligand for Kit (CD117(+)), is a chemoattractant for CD117(+) cells and one feature of mastocytosis is an abnormal collection of mast cells in tissues derived from CD34(+)CD117(+) mast cell precursors, the hypothesis was considered that the D816V mutation would enhance chemotaxis of these precursor cells. Constructs encoding wild-type Kit or Kit bearing the D816V mutation were transfected into Jurkat cells, labeled with Calcein-AM, and migration to SCF assessed in the presence or absence of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Chemotaxis to SCF was enhanced in D816V transfectants compared to wild-type Kit transfectants (P <.002). Migration of both transfectants was inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors, although D816V transfectants were more sensitive. Chemotaxis was next performed on CD34(+)CD117(+) circulating mast cell precursors obtained from patients with mastocytosis. Analysis of prechemotaxis and migrated cells showed that whereas less than 10% in the prechemotaxis sample had the D816V mutation, 40% to 80% of migrated cells had this mutation. These results demonstrate that the D816V Kit mutation enhances chemotaxis of CD117(+) cells, offering one explanation for increased mast cells observed in tissues of patients with mastocytosis. (Blood. 2001;98:1195-1199)

Characterization of alpha 5-integrin-dependent mast cell adhesion following Fc epsilon RI aggregation.

BACKGROUND: Integrin receptors are engaged in the upregulation of mast cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components upon stimulation with cytokines and antigen. Fibronectin receptor containing the alpha 5-integrin subunit is critical for mast cell interaction with the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN). METHODS: The murine MCP5/L mast cell line was employed to investigate the process of Fc epsilon RI-mediated mast cell adhesion to FN. RT-PCR and cytofluorimetric analysis were used to assess the expression of alpha 5 integrin in MCP5/L mast cells. Radiolabelled mast cells were sensitized with monoclonal IgE and used in adhesion assays. Anti-alpha 5-integrin antibody (Ab), monovalent hapten and metabolic inhibitors were used to characterize antigen-mediated mast cell adhesion to FN. RESULTS: Addition of antigen to IgE-sensitized cells resulted in transient upregulation of mast cell adhesion to FN with a maximum adhesion following 30 min of incubation. Mast cell adhesion was inhibited with anti-alpha 5-integrin monoclonal antibodies blocking FN receptor or with excess monovalent hapten preventing antigen-mediated IgE cross-linking. The presence of the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor staurosporine also inhibited mast cell adhesion in a dose-dependent fashion. The process of Fc epsilon RI-mediated upregulation of mast cell adhesion to FN was not associated with an increase in surface expression of mast cell FN receptors. CONCLUSION: The major FN receptor on MCP5/L mast cell surface, an integrin containing the alpha 5 subunit mediates a transient change in mast cell adhesiveness following IgE cross-linking. Fc epsilon RI-derived signals engage PKC and upregulate mast cell adhesion in a process which might involve changes in integrin avidity rather than integrin expression.

Inhibitory effect of wheat germ agglutinin on mouse mast cell adhesion to fibronectin.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells play a critical role in allergic and inflammatory responses. The interactions between these cells and extracellular matrix components influence the distribution of mast cells in tissues and their biological responsiveness. It has been reported that the lectin wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) inhibits mast cell mediator release. We decided to investigate whether adhesion to fibronectin (FN), another mast cell function, which is upregulated following FcepsilonRI cross-linking, is also inhibited by WGA. METHODS: Mouse bone-marrow-derived mast cell line MCP5/L was used. For FcepsilonRI-dependent mast cell activation, MCP5/L cells were sensitized with mouse IgE antibodies. WGA was added to cell suspensions simultaneously with a challenging agent and, after an appropriate incubation period, beta-hexosaminidase release and adhesion to FN were determined. RESULTS: Both FcepsilonRI cross-linking-dependent mast cell adhesion to FN and mediator release were dose-dependently inhibited by WGA; however, the lectin concentrations required to induce maximum inhibition of adhesion were significantly lower. Furthermore, WGA inhibited phorbol-myristate-acetate- and A-23187-mediated mast cell adhesion to FN, i.e. processes that do not engage FcepsilonRI. The effect of WGA on FcepsilonRI-mediated secretion was reversed by GlcNAc. In contrast, combination of GlcNAc and NeuNAc or N, N'-diacetylchitobiose was required to reverse the inhibitory effect of WGA on mast cell adhesion. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of WGA-mediated inhibition of MCP5/L mast cell adhesion to FN suggest that mast cell integrins are targets of the inhibitory action of WGA and the sugar moieties on these receptors might be important for receptor function.

Human mast cells express the hyaluronic-acid-binding isoform of CD44 and adhere to hyaluronic acid.

CD44 is expressed in various isoforms on multiple cell lineages including those of hematopoietic origin and is believed in part to mediate cell adhesion to hyaluronic acid. Elevated levels of soluble CD44 (sCD44) have been identified in the serum of some patients with specific neoplasms. We thus sought to determine whether human mast cells express functional CD44 and whether sCD44 might be associated with systemic mast cell disease. Using a standard assay, CD34(+)-derived cultured human mast cells were first demonstrated to adhere to hyaluronic-acid-coated surfaces. Human mast cells were then found by flow cytometry to express CD44S, but not the v5, v6, v7, and v8 isoforms, and to shed CD44S following activation induced by PMA or aggregation of FcvarepsilonRI. However, CD44S was not found to be consistently elevated in serum obtained from patients with mastocytosis or individuals experiencing anaphylaxis. Thus, human cultured mast cells express and shed CD44S, which appears to mediate the attachment of these cells to hyaluronic acid.

Murine mast cells exposed to mercuric chloride release granule-associated N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase and secrete IL-4 and TNF-alpha.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells, by virtue of their location within the skin, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal system, are considered as potential targets for environmental agents with immunotoxic effects. Mercuric chloride (HgCl2), is a xenobiotic, which induces autoimmune glomerulonephritis and stimulates polyclonal IgE production. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the ability of HgCl2 to degranulate murine mast cells and promote cytokine secretion and whether this was an active biologic process. METHODS: Bone marrow-derived murine mast cells were exposed to HgCl2, and the release of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase and secretion of IL-4 and TNF-alpha were measured. RESULTS: HgCl2 was found to directly activate murine mast cells to release the granule-associated enzyme N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase and to secrete the proinflammatory cytokines IL-4 and TNF-alpha. Cytokine secretion occurred hours after exposure to HgCl2 and required transcription and protein synthesis. The secretion of cytokines mediated by HgCl2 was additive to that which followed FcepsilonRI-induced mast cell activation. The IL-4 secretion by mast cells occurred at concentrations of HgCl2 (10(-6) mol/L to 10(-5) mol/L) comparable with those required to induce upregulation of IgE production in experimental animals. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that HgCl2 will directly activate mast cells, which is followed by degranulation and IL-4 and TNF-alpha synthesis and secretion. These findings are consistent with recognition of HgCl2 as a biologically important environmentally derived immunotoxic agent for mast cells.

Tyrosine kinase-deficient Wv c-kit induces mast cell adhesion and chemotaxis.

W/Wv mice are deficient in tissue mast cells, and mast cells cultured from these mice do not proliferate in response to the c-kit ligand, stem cell factor (SCF). In this paper, we report that mouse bone marrow cultured mast cells derived from W/Wv mice do adhere to fibronectin in the presence of SCF and exhibit chemotaxis to SCF, and we explore this model for the understanding of c-kit-mediated signaling pathways. Both in vitro and in vivo (in intact cells) phosphorylation experiments demonstrated a low residual level of W/Wv c-kit protein phosphorylation. SCF-induced responses in W/Wv mast cells were abolished by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A and by the phospatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitor wortmannin but were not affected by protein kinase C inhibitors. These observations are consistent with the conclusions that Wv c-kit initiates a signaling process that is PI 3-kinase dependent and that mutated Wv c-kit retains the ability to initiate mast cell adhesion and migration.

Extracellular matrix-anchored serum amyloid A preferentially induces mast cell adhesion.

Mast cells are known to accumulate in various inflammatory processes, some of which are known to be associated with increased local and systemic levels of acute-phase reactants such as serum amyloid A (SAA) or with amyloid deposition. The mechanism(s) by which mast cells are recruited to these sites, however, has not been fully elucidated. It has recently been shown that SAA interacts with extracellular matrix (ECM) components and thereby acts as a chemoattractant and regulator of immune cell migration. On the basis of these observations, we examined the effect of SAA on mast cell adhesion to ECM, an essential step in cellular transmigration. We could first demonstrate strong specific binding of recombinant human SAA (rSAA) to murine mast cells using flow cytometry. Moreover, radiolabeled rSAA was found to bind, in a saturable manner, to mast cells, reaching a binding affinity of 10(-8) M. When immobilized by preincubation with ECM, SAA or its proteolytically degraded amyloid A fragment (amino acid residues 2-82), which contains RGD-related adhesion motif but not the COOH-terminal portion of SAA (amino acid residues 77-104), induced the adhesion of resting mast cells to ECM or laminin. SAA and AA, in soluble or immobilized forms, did not activate mast cells to release mediators. Mast cell adhesion to the immobilized ECM-SAA complex appeared to occur through an integrin recognition, inasmuch as adhesion was calcium dependent and could be blocked by an RGD-containing peptide or by anti-CD29 monoclonal antibody. Genistein also inhibited adhesion, indicating that tyrosine kinase activity was involved. These data suggest that SAA bound to ECM may serve as an important inducer of mast cell adhesion, thus regulating mast cell recruitment and accumulation at these sites, which in turn could potentiate further pathology.

Characterization of a mast cell line that lacks the extracellular domain of membrane c-kit.

Expression of the c-kit proto-oncogene receptor on mast cells is essential for their normal proliferation and maturation as well as for several biological responses such as chemotaxis and attachment. In the present study we report that the interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent mast cell line CFTL-15 lacks the extracellular domain of the c-kit receptor. This observation was made after noting that the c-kit ligand stem cell factor (SCF) could not prevent IL-3 deprivation-induced mast cell apoptosis and that CFTL-15 cells did not proliferate in response to SCF. Flow cytometric analysis employing monoclonal anti-c-kit antibodies, and immunogold labelling with analysis by electron microscopy, subsequently showed a diminished expression of c-kit on CFTL-15 cells. There was no identifiable message for the extracellular domain of c-kit in these cells, as determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). These previously unrecognized properties of the CFTL-15 mast cell line allowed the examination of other biological consequences of the lack of c-kit on mast cells. Analysing the ability of these cells to adhere to surface-bound fibronectin, it was found that addition of SCF did not increase their adhesion to this substrate, in opposition to what is reported with other mast cells. Similarly, CFTL-15 mast cells did not adhere to fibroblasts, which is known to require c-kit expression. Also, there was no protein tyrosine phosphorylation in these cells in response to SCF. CFTL-15 cells underwent apoptosis on removal of IL-3 coincident with a decrease in endogenous Bcl-2 mRNA. Overexpression of Bcl-2 cDNA prolonged survival of Bcl-2-transfected CFTL-15 cells upon withdrawal of IL-3. Thus, the CFTL-15 cell line that lacks surface c-kit is not able to proliferate in response to SCF, undergoes apoptosis in the presence of SCF, and does not adhere to fibroblasts. These results confirm earlier studies on the functional consequences of c-kit and provide a novel experimental model for further investigation.

Aggregation of low affinity IgG receptors induces mast cell adherence to fibronectin: requirement for the common FcR gamma-chain.

Mast cells have been reported to increase at sites of immune complex-induced inflammation where these cells appear to potentiate the inflammatory response. The mechanism by which mast cells accumulate at these sites is unknown. One possibility is that aggregation of low affinity IgG receptors could signal mast cells to adhere to components of the connective tissue matrix. To test this hypothesis, we first added aggregated IgG to a mast cell adhesion assay employing fibronectin as a matrix component and observed an increase in cell adhesion. Even a small amount of aggregated IgG (< 60 ng/ml) demonstrated by fast protein liquid chromatography in untreated IgG preparations was sufficient to increase mast cell adhesion by 100%. We next explored the Fc gamma receptors involved. Fc gammaRII/III, which are receptors for oligomeric IgG and were first verified as present on these mast cells by FACS analysis and immunoprecipitation, signaled mast cells to rapidly adhere to fibronectin when aggregated with the anti-receptor Ab2.4G2. The adhesion process mediated by Fc gammaRII/III was not associated with beta-hexosaminidase release. Bone marrow-cultured mast cells from common gamma-chain deficient mice, unlike mast cells cultured from +/+ mice, did not respond to Fc gammaRII/III aggregation. This demonstrated requirement for a gamma-chain implicates oligomeric Fc gammaRIII in the adhesion process. Thus, aggregation of Fc gammaRIII on mast cells leads to mast cell adhesion, demonstrating a previously unknown biological function for this receptor on mast cells and providing a mechanism for mast cell accumulation in immune complex-dependent inflammation.

Bone marrow-derived murine mast cells migrate, but do not degranulate, in response to chemokines.

We have determined that several chemokines induce mast cell migration in vitro. This directed migration is dependent on the presence of particular extracellular matrix proteins and the activation status of the cells. Mast cell haptotactic responses were observed in response to various chemokines on vitronectin-, laminin-, and fibronectin-coated filters. Unstimulated mast cells were chemoattracted only by monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and RANTES on vitronectin-coated and, to a lesser extent, laminin-coated filters, whereas IgE-activated mast cells migrated in response to monocyte chemotactic protein-1, regulated on activation normal T expressed and secreted, platelet factor-4, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha on all three matrix proteins. No significant migration was observed on collagen type IV-coated or uncoated filters. Mast cell migration in response to chemokines on extracellular matrices and its enhancement by IgE-dependent activation provide a mechanism by which cells may be drawn to sites of inflammation. Chemokine-induced mast cell recruitment may be particularly relevant in host defense responses to parasitic infections, allergic reactions, Jones-Mote reactions, and in wound healing.

Relations between Fc epsilon RI crosslinking-induced mast cell activation and adhesion to fibronectin.

Demonstration of murine mast cell adhesion to fibronectin (FN) following PMA-mediated cell activation raised the question whether crosslinking of high affinity IgE receptors on mouse mast cells might induce changes in adhesiveness of these cells to FN. Murine mast cells of line MCP5/L were used to investigate the effect of antigenic stimulation on cell adhesion to fN and mediator secretion. effect of antigenic stimulation on cell adhesion to FN and mediator secretion. Adhesion assays were performed using sensitized radiolabeled cells and FN- or BSA-coated 96-well plates. The presence of antigen in the concentrations up to 10 ng/ml resulted in concentration-dependent adhesion potentiation, which was detectable after 5 min, reached maximum at 30 min and persisted or decreased over the next 30 min. Adhesion potentiation decreased at antigen excess and was abolished by heat inactivation of IgE in the antiserum prior to cell treatment. External calcium ion and temperature dependence of adhesion together with the observation that RGD (Arg, Gly, Asp)--containing peptide blocked cell binding to FN suggests that FC epsilon RI crosslinking-induced adhesion potentiation involves an integrin type receptor on cell surface. Sensitized mast cells allowed to adhere spontaneously to FN released more histamine and beta-hexosaminidase upon antigen challenge. Hence, the results show the relations between IgE-induced mast cell activation, adhesion to FN and mediator secretion.

Stem cell factor induces mast cell adhesion to fibronectin.

Stem cell factor (SCF) or c-kit ligand is a growth factor cytokine produced by stromal cells that is known to influence mast cell proliferation and differentiation. We hypothesized that SCF may also influence the adhesion of mast cells to connective tissue matrix. To examine this hypothesis, we stimulated MCP5/L mast cells or murine bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMC) with either SCF or PMA and observed adhesion to fibronectin (FN). As expected, 80 to 90% of PMA-activated MCP5/L cells or BMCMC adhered to FN. In addition, SCF promoted MCP5/L cell or BMCMC adhesion to FN in a dose-response fashion with 50 to 60% of BMCMC adhering to FN at a concentration 10 ng/ml of SCF. BMCMC adhesion was observed with as little as 200 pg/ml of SCF. Adhesion of SCF stimulated BMCMC to FN did not require IL-3, but was dependent on the concentration of FN used to coat the assay surface. Mast cell adhesion in the presence of SCF appeared to occur through an integrin receptor as adhesion was calcium dependent and could be blocked by an RGD (Ang, Gly, Asp)-containing peptide. SCF did not directly mediate adhesion through interaction with c-kit, as FN-coated surfaces exposed to SCF before initiation of the adhesion assay did not promote adhesion in the absence of soluble SCF. Rather, SCF appeared to stimulate adhesion to FN by activating mast cells through its interaction with c-kit. Thus, antibody to SCF blocked adhesion, and rat and murine SCF stimulated BMCMC adhesion to FN, but human SCF, which does not bind to murine c-kit, did not stimulate adhesion. Genistein, which inhibits tyrosine kinase activity, partially inhibited SCF-induced adhesion. SCF thus stimulates mast cell adhesion and, because SCF is produced normally in tissues, it may be a major factor responsible for the adhesion of mast cells to connective tissue matrix under physiologic conditions.

Rat lymphoid cell--derived histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine releasing factor.

The in vitro production of histamine releasing factor (HRF) by lymphoid cells of rats, both normal and infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, has been studied. Spleen cells and thymocytes were cultured either alone or in the presence of mitogen (PHA, 10 and 50 micrograms/ml) and the dialysed cell-free supernatants were tested for histamine releasing activity on rat peritoneal and pleural mast cell in vitro. We found that spleen cells and thymocytes of normal rats stimulated with PHA in 24 h cultures generated a factor which released histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine from mast cells, and this ability was potentiated following N. brasiliensis infection of rats - lymphoid cells donors. Pleural mast cells were more sensitive to the action of HRF than peritoneal cells. Rat HRF had an apparent m.w. of 50,000 to 70,000 daltons as determined by gel chromatography and was a heat stable protein inducing histamine release from homologous mast cells in a very rapid (complete in 1-2 min at 37 degrees C), dose and temperature dependent secretory process.

Mast cell adhesion to fibronectin.

The MCP-5 murine mast cell line, as well as primary bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMC), are demonstrated to bind to fibronectin, a ubiquitous adhesion protein of the extracellular matrix. BMCMC required activation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) to adhere to fibronectin, whereas MCP-5 displayed spontaneous adherence. The binding of both MCP-5 and BMCMC was dose dependent, with maximal adhesion at a fibronectin concentration of 20 micrograms/ml. The 120,000 molecular weight (MW) proteolytic fragment of fibronectin containing the RGDS cell attachment site was able to substitute for the native fibronectin molecule in promoting mast cell attachment. Mast cell adhesion to fibronectin, in addition, could be inhibited by the RGDS peptide alone. These data suggest that, in addition to the previously described mast cell-laminin interactions, mast cells also adhere to fibronectin, thus providing further insight into their tissue localization and possible roles in processes such as wound healing and fibrosis.

Histamine metabolism in lungs of rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.

Several parameters connected to histamine metabolism and mast cell number were examined in the lungs of rats infected with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Histamine levels as well as mast cell numbers were found to be increased on day 14 after infection and were elevated during the whole time of the experiment. Histidine decarboxylase activity also reached a peak on day 14. There was no measurable activity of diamine oxidase in the lungs of parasitized and normal rats. It is postulated that the increase in histidine decarboxylase activity and histamine concentration observed in the present study is related to the process of mastocytosis.

The response of histamine degrading enzymes to nematode infection.

The response of intestinal mucosal enzymes which metabolize histamine i.e. diamine oxidase (DAO), histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT), and monoamine oxidase (MAO), to infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis has been examined in mice and compared to the changes evoked by in vivo administration of compound 48/80. Infection with the parasite resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of both amine oxidases, followed by recovery of MAO and an overshoot in DAO activity. HMT activity was enhanced at the beginning of infection, then decreased markedly by days 11 to 15, and sharply increased thereafter. Histamine levels were on average only 20% higher than the basal levels over the entire period studied, except on day 4 when they were slightly reduced. Histamine is alleged to be a potential inducing factor for degrading enzymes. Consistently, the histamine releaser 48/80 significantly elevated intestinal mucosal DAO and in some of the mice also increased HMT activity.