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. 1998 Feb;93(2):289–295. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2567.1998.00425.x

Comparative cytokine gene expression: regulation and release by human mast cells.

A Möller 1, B M Henz 1, A Grützkau 1, U Lippert 1, Y Aragane 1, T Schwarz 1, S Krüger-Krasagakes 1
PMCID: PMC1364191  PMID: 9616381

Abstract

Since data on the ability of human mast cells to produce various cytokines are scanty, we examined the mRNA expression, its modulation and the resulting protein expression of a number of well-characterized cytokines, using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of cell extracts and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for analysis of cell supernatants. One million cells/ml of the human mast cell line HMC-1 were stimulated with 25 ng/ml phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), 5 x 10(-7) M calcium ionophore A 23187 (ionophore) or both stimuli combined for various time periods. Constitutive expression in unstimulated cells was found for interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) -3, -4, -8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Maximal mRNA up-regulation was observed by 2-4 hr, with a second peak for TNF-alpha at 24 hr. After a 4-hr stimulation, IL-13 expression was detectable as well, whereas for IL-12, only the p35 but not the p40 chain was found, and IL-2, -5, -7 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were not expressed at all. Large quantities of IL-8, TNF-alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-3 were secreted time-dependently over a 72-hr period, with lower levels of IL-1 beta, -6, -10 and TGF-beta and no detectable IL-2, -4 and IFN-gamma protein. When IL-6 and IL-8 expression was compared in more detail, IL-6 mRNA was found to be up-regulated only with ionophore but not PMA, whereas both stimuli alone or combined increased IL-8 mRNA expression. Preincubation with cycloheximide inhibited IL-6 but not IL-8 transcription, and incubation of stimulated cells with actinomycin D stabilized IL-8 and also IL-6 mRNA. These data suggest a selective regulation of distinct cytokines in human mast cells at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Furthermore, the spectrum of cytokines produced by HMC-1 cells supports the well-recognized role of mast cells in immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions as well as their potential colony-stimulating and tissue-remodelling abilities.

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