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Comparative cytokine profile of human skin mast cells from two compartments—strong resemblance with monocytes at baseline but induction of IL‐5 by IL‐4 priming
Author(s) -
Babina Magda,
Guhl Sven,
Stärke André,
Kirchhof Loreen,
Zuberbier Torsten,
Henz Beate M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.0403157
Subject(s) - cytokine , biology , immunology , tumor necrosis factor alpha , mast cell , interleukin 20 , interleukin , inflammation , priming (agriculture) , stem cell factor , innate immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , interleukin 5 , stem cell , haematopoiesis , botany , germination
Although known as heterogenous, mast cells (MC) are believed to induce allergic inflammation, partially by secretion of T helper cell type 2 (Th2) cytokines. We show here that MC purified from twohuman skin compartments produce cytokines that are primarily associated with inflammation and innate immunity [interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α)]. Although these are detectable even without stimulation, immunoglobulin (Ig)E receptor cross‐linking is able to enhance only TNF‐α production, but phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate additionally promotes IL‐1β and IL‐8. With the exception of TNF‐α, the presence of serum has a positive impact on cytokine production. Although IL‐13 transcripts (but not those for IL‐4 and ‐5) are produced by skin MC, all Th2 cytokines remain undetectable in the supernatants or lysates of MC from foreskin and breast skin by all treatments. Therefore, rather than sharing similarity with Th2 cells, the cytokine profile of skin MC at baseline resembles that of monocytes. Of note, MC precultured in the presence of IL‐4 [alone or plus stem cell factor (SCF)] before anti‐IgE stimulation, acquired the ability to produce IL‐5, and IL‐1β was concomitantly suppressed. Additionally, strong up‐regulation of IL‐6 by SCF was observed, which was inhibited by IL‐4. In summary, we present a detailed analysis of the cytokine array of human skin MC immediately upon isolation; demonstrate that MC from different skin compartments, although producing the same pattern of cytokines, display quantitative differences in several aspects; and provide further evidence that MC possess a proinflammatory capacity, which can, however, be altered by microenvironmental stimuli, substantiating the marked plasticity of the cells.