PRODUCTS FROM MAST-CELLS INFLUENCE T-LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION AND CYTOKINE PRODUCTION - RELEVANT TO ALLERGIC-ASTHMA

In IgE allergic diseases both mast cells and T lymphocytes play an imp ortant role. Whereas mast cells have been implicated in immediate alle rgic responses, T lymphocytes mediate subsequent late phase responses and chronic inflammation. Here we review possible links between the ea rly mast cell activation and the later T lymphocyte stimulation. Produ cts from mast cells were found to exert effects on T lymphocytes. Huma n Mast Cell line-1 (HMC-1) mast cells modulated proliferation and cyto kine production of a human CD8(+) T-cell clone in vitro. Activated mas t cells seemed to drive this CD8(+) T-cell clone towards a more pronou nced T (helper) 1 type of response, simultaneously decreasing T-cell n umbers. It is hypothesized that this might be a negative feed back mec hanism operating in allergic subjects, by which the Th2-driven IgE pro duction and eosinophilia are counteracted. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B .V.