Phagocytosis of zymosan particles by mast cells

Do Mast Cells Contribute to the Antifungal Host Defense?

The fungal kingdom includes a group of microorganisms that are widely distributed in the environment, and therefore the exposure to them is almost constant. Furthermore, fungal components of the microbiome, i.e., mycobiome, could serve as a reservoir of potentially opportunistic pathogens. Despite close encounters with fungi, defense mechanisms that develop during fungal infections remain unexplored. The strategic location of mast cells (MCs) close to the external environment places them among the first cells to encounter pathogens along with the other innate immune cells. MCs are directly involved in the host defense through the ability to destroy pathogens or indirectly by activating other immune cells. Most available data present MCs’ involvement in antibacterial, antiviral, or antiparasitic defense mechanisms. However, less is known about their contribution in defense mechanisms against fungi. MCs may support immune responses to fungi or their specific molecules through initiated degranulation, synthesis and release of cytokines, chemokines, mediators, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as immune cells’ recruitment, phagocytosis, or provision of extracellular DNA traps. This review summarizes current knowledge on host defense mechanisms against fungi and MCs’ involvement in those processes. It also describes the effects of fungi or fungus-derived constituents on MCs’ activity.

NOD1 and NOD2 Interact with the Phagosome Cargo in Mast Cells: A Detailed Morphological Evidence

Mast cells (MC) play a key role in triggering the inflammatory process and share some functions with professional phagocytes. It is not clear whether or not the phagocytic process in MC follows the same route and has the same meaning of that of professional phagocytes. Herein we analyze in detail the structure of the phagosome in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC). The ultrastructural analysis of the phagosome, containing either model particles or bacteria, reveals that these vacuoles are very tight, and in several areas, their membrane seems to have dissolved. RPMC express NOD1 and NOD2 proteins whose role is to recognize intracellular foreign components and induce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Following Escherichia coli ingestion, both these molecules are found on the phagosome membrane and on ingested pathogens, together with phagosome maturation markers. These findings suggest that in RPMC the ingested cargo can, through interruptions of the phagosome membrane, interact directly with NODs, which act as switches in the process of cytokine production.

Human mast cell activation with viruses and pathogen products

Mast cells have been demonstrated to have critical roles in host defense against a number of types of pathogens. In order to better understand how mast cells participate in effective immune responses, it is important to evaluate their ability to respond directly to pathogens and their products. In the current chapter we provide a methodology to evaluate human mast cell responses to a number of bacterial and fungal pathogen products and to mammalian reovirus as a model of acute viral infection. These methods should provide key information necessary to aid in the effective design of experiments to evaluate human mast cell responses to a number of other organisms. However, it is important to carefully consider the biology of the mast cell subsets and pathogens involved and the optimal experimental conditions necessary to evaluate mediators of interest.

The impact of bacterial infection on mast cell degranulation

In developed countries, the prevalence of allergy is on the rise. Although the causes are unknown, it seems that (1) the disappearance of microbiota may play a role in the increase of allergies and (2) exposure to bacterial infections during childhood decreases the incidence of allergies. Although several cell types are involved in the development of allergy, mast cells play a major role in orchestrating inflammation. Upon activation, mast cell secretory granules fuse with the plasma membrane, resulting in the release of a number of inflammatory mediators. In addition to allergy, mast cells contribute to the innate immune response against a variety of bacteria. This is accomplished through the secretion of cytokines and other soluble mediators. Interestingly, there is growing evidence that mast cells exposed to bacteria down-regulate degranulation in response to IgE/Allergen stimulation. This inhibitory effect seems to require direct contact between bacteria and mast cells, but the intracellular mechanism by which bacterial contact suppresses allergic responses is unknown. Here, we review different aspects of mast cell physiology and discuss hypotheses as to how bacteria may influence mast cell degranulation.

Granularin, a novel molluscan opsonin comprising a single vWF type C domain is up‐regulated during parasitation

Snails are intermediate hosts to schistosome parasites, some of which are the main cause of human schistosomiasis (bilharzia), and have been used as models for parasite-host interactions for a long time. Here, we have characterized a novel internal defense peptide of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis, of which the relative abundance in brain tissue increases upon infection with the avian schistosome Trichobilharzia ocellata. This protein, named granularin, is secreted by granular cells, which are numerous in the connective tissue surrounding the brain. The protein is unique because it comprises only a single Von Willebrand factor type C domain that is normally found in large transmembrane and secreted extracellular matrix proteins. The granularin gene is twice up-regulated during parasitation. Purified granularin stimulates phagocytosis of foreign particles by blood hemocytes. Together, our data indicate that granularin represents a novel protein that acts as an opsonin in the molluscan internal defense response.

Immunocytochemical evidence for ACTH- and beta-endorphin-like molecules in phagocytic blood cells of urodelan amphibians

Using immunocytochemical procedures and RIA tests, the presence of immunoreactive ACTH and beta-endorphin molecules in the basophils and neutrophils of urodelan amphibians (Salamandra s. salamandra, Triturus c. carnifex, Speleomantes imperialis) has been established. Moreover, it was observed that not only neutrophils but also basophils have phagocytic activity. The findings reported suggest that: 1) a relationship exists between the immune and neuroendocrine systems, and 2) the opioid-like molecules play a physiological role in the process of phagocytosis. Indeed, ACTH increases the phagocytic activity.

A histochemical investigation on the percutaneous absorption of vitamin D synthesized into the mammal epidermis

The vitamin D transepidermis absorption was studied by means of a histochemical technique suitable to detect this vitamin and to discriminate it from cholesterol and its esters. Such technique shows vitamin D inside the mast cell granules. As the mast cell granules contain metachromatic substances its own histochemical reactivity must be previously blocked by methylation. After this treatment the mast cell granules do not stain by toluidine blue and do not react to the peracetic acid-toluidine blue reaction. However, the granules remains reactive to alkaline permanganate-toluidine blue and to alkaline permanganate-Schiff reactions. These results show that the mast cell granules do not contain cholesterol but they contain vitamin D. The lack of cholesterol suggests that vitamin D is not synthesized inside the granules. As the mast cells may appears within the epidermis or in close relationship with the epidermis, although it is placed into the superficial dermis, it was admitted that the mast cells uptake vitamin D contained inside the epidermis intercellular compartment. In such instances, the vitamin D synthesized by the keratinocytes enter the intercellular compartment, where its synthesis accomplishes, and migrate towards the basement membrane. At the basal epidermis layer or after passing through the basement membrane the vitamin D is taken up by mast cells, where it is stored inside its granules.

Enhancement of IGE-induced mediator release from rat peritoneal mast cells by serum-treated zymosan

Phagocytosis of zymosan (Z) treated with rat serum (ZX) by rat peritoneal mast cells caused only a small amount of [3H]serotonin release, and prior release of mediators from mast cells did not affect phagocytosis of sheep erythrocytes bearing IgG and C3b, indicating the independence of these two phenomena. When, however, mast cells were exposed to ZX, subsequent IgE-mediated release of histamine, [3H]serotonin, and beta-hexosaminidase was greatly enhanced. Prevention of complement activation by the presence of EDTA during the treatment of Z with the serum or prior heating of the serum at 56 degrees C for 30 min only slightly impaired the ability of ZX to augment mediator release, whereas prior absorption of the serum with zymosan at 0 degree C greatly diminished the enhancement. Exposure of fresh Z to variable amounts of either the acid or the high-salt eluate of ZX also generated ZX capable of enhancing [3H]serotonin release in a dose-dependent fashion. IgG, IgM, C3, and albumin were detected in the eluates by immunodiffusion. When IgG was depleted from the high-salt eluate by treating with Sepharose-anti-IgG, the enhancement was significantly reduced, indicating that IgG but not C3 or other immunoglobulins was required for the enhancement.

Release of mediators from purified rat mast cells during phagocytosis

Purified mature rat peritoneal mast cells, on exposure to zymosan or latex beads, phagocytize these particles, although less efficiently than macrophages. During phagocytosis, histamine, beta-glucuronidase, and eosinophil chemotactic factor are released from mast cells in a time-, temperature- and dose-dependent fashion. Complement components, cytochalasin B (5 microgram/ml), and indomethacin (10-6M), enhanced mediator release, whereas compound BW 755C (20 microgram/ml), a cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor of arachidonate metabolism, totally abolished this process. Phagocytosis of mast cell thus activates intracellular mechanisms that closely resemble those observed with other phagocytic cells. These observations add a new perspective to the role of mast cells in inflammatory events.

Identification of mast cells in the scanning electron microscope by means of x-ray spectrometry

In mixed populations of rat peritoneal fluid cells, the mast cells can be differentiated from other cell types in the scanning electron microscope by virtue of the X-ray emission referable to their sulfur content. Both stationary probe and X-ray mapping are feasible; the amount of sulfur eliciting a signal is estimated to be about 8 x 10(-18) g.

Electron microscope observations on compounds 48-80-induced degranulation in rat mast cells. Evidence for sequential exocytosis of storage granules

In vitro degranulation of rat mast cells was studied at different intervals ranging from 10 to 60 sec after adding the histamine liberator, compound 48/80 (0.4 microg/ml, 17 degrees C). The ultrastructural changes were followed by electron microscopy, and parallel assays were made to determine the histamine released. In addition, the extracellular tracers lanthanum and hemoglobin (demonstrated by its peroxidative activity) were applied to mast cells to follow communication of the extracellular space with the cavities formed during degranulation. After a lag period of 10 sec, degranulation started in the most peripherally located granules. The perigranular membrane fused with the plasma membrane, resulting in a pore bridged by a thin diaphragm. This was followed by rupture of the diaphragm and extrusion of the granule matrix (exocytosis). The process advanced towards the cell interior by fusion and opening of the deeper situated granules to the formerly opened granule cavities. At the end of the process, the cell was filled by a system of complicated cavities containing a number of altered granules. Extracellular tracers have shown that these intracellular cavities were in unbroken communication with the extracellular space from the very beginning of their formation. Both lanthanum and hemoglobin were found to be adsorbed to the limiting membrane of the cavities and bound to altered mast cell granules. In contrast, no tracer substance was present in nondegranulating mast cells. Degranulation of mast cells by compound 48/80 is regarded as a sequential exocytosis, a process similar to that described for some exocrine gland cells. All the "intracellular" cavities, formed by degranulation, were shown to communicate with the extracellular space; consequently, granules lying in these cavities must be considered as biologically extracellular. The present findings support the view that histamine is released from the granule matrix by the extracellular ionic milieu.

Uptake of colloidal thorium dioxide by mast cells

Mast cells from the peritoneal cavity of the rat were obtained at various times following in situ injection of a colloidal thorium dioxide preparation (Thorotrast). They were prepared for electron microscopy by aldehyde fixation, osmium tetroxide postfixation, and embedding in Epon. Thorotrast was rapidly taken up by mast cells through enhanced or newly elicited surface specializations. It was confined at first to large vesicles which moved to the Golgi area. Subsequently, in a matter of a few hours only, it became associated with progressively more mature granules, including "fully" mature ones. In addition to demonstrating a further phagocytic or pinocytotic activity of mast cells, the findings suggest that mast cell granules share a common membranous investment, and that substances from the tissue environment may theoretically percolate over and interact with the granules. Mast cell function could thus be served primarily by absorptive rather than secretory processes.