H. Tachimoto et al., Reciprocal regulation of cultured human mast cell cytokine production by IL-4 and IFN-gamma, J ALLERG CL, 106(1), 2000, pp. 141-149
Background: T(H)1 and T(H)2 cytokines are thought to regulate allergic infl
ammation. Objective: Two key regulatory cytokines, IL-4 and IFN-gamma, were
examined for their effects on cytokine production by cultured human mast c
ells (CHMCs).
Methods: CHMCs were obtained by culturing cord blood-derived CD34(+) cells
in the presence of stem cell factor and IL-6 for 14 to 16 weeks. CHMCs were
passively sensitized with human myeloma IgE and supplemented with or witho
ut IL-4 or IFN-gamma. After the sensitization, CHMCs were stimulated with a
nti-Fc epsilon RI alpha mAb. Concentrations of secreted cytokines were meas
ured by using ELISA, and cytokine messenger RNA was analyzed by using quant
itative competitive RT-PCR.
Results: IL-4 profoundly enhanced Fc epsilon RI-mediated production of macr
ophage inflammatory protein (MIP) 1 alpha, IL-8, and CM-CSF For example, th
e enhancement by IL-4 (10 ng/mL) of the production of MIP-1 alpha IL-8, and
GM-CSF was 25-, 7-, and 90-fold, respectively, after 6 hours. IL-4 also en
hanced levels of Fc epsilon RI-induced cytokine messenger RNA but to a Less
er degree. in contrast, IFN-gamma inhibited Fc epsilon RI-induced productio
n of MIP-1 alpha l IL-8, and GM-CSF. For example, the inhibition by IFN-gam
ma (10 ng/mL) of Fc epsilon RI-mediated production of MIP-1 alpha, IL-8, an
d GM-CSF was 80%, 75%, and 95%, respectively. IFN-gamma also suppressed Fc
epsilon RI-induced messenger RNA expression of these cytokines. Neither IL-
4 nor IFN-gamma affected the kinetics of cytokine production by CHMCs.
Conclusion: These data suggest that IL-4 and IFN-gamma may influence allerg
ic reactions by modulating human mast cell cytokine production.