Mast cells form antibody-dependent degranulatory synapse for dedicated secretion and defence

Combinatorial Genomic Biomarkers Associated with High Response in IgE-Dependent Degranulation in Human Mast Cells

Mast cells are the major effector cells that mediate IgE-dependent allergic reactions. We sought to use integrated network analysis to identify genomic biomarkers associated with high response in IgE-mediated activation of primary human mast cells. Primary human mast cell cultures derived from 262 normal donors were categorized into High, Average and Low responder groups according to their activation response profiles. Transcriptome analysis was used to identify genes that were differentially expressed in different responder cultures in their baseline conditions, and the data were analyzed by constructing a personalized perturbed profile (PEEP). For upregulated genes, the construction of PEEP for each individual sample of all three responder groups revealed that High responders exhibited a higher percentage of "perturbed" samples whose PEEP values lay outside the normal range of expression. Moreover, the integration of PEEP of four selected upregulated genes into distinct sets of combinatorial profiles demonstrated that the specific pattern of upregulated expression of these four genes, in a tandem combination, was observed exclusively among the High responders. In conclusion, this combinatorial approach was useful in identifying a set of genomic biomarkers that are associated with high degranulation response in human mast cell cultures derived from the blood of a cohort of normal donors.

The mast cell-T lymphocyte axis impacts cancer: Friend or foe?

Crosstalk between mast cells (MCs) and T lymphocytes (TLs) releases specific signals that create an environment conducive to tumor development. Conversely, they can protect against cancer by targeting tumor cells for destruction. Although their role in immunity and cancer is complex, their potential in anticancer strategies is often underestimated. When peripheral MCs are activated, they can affect cancer development. Tumor-infiltrating TLs may malfunction and contribute to aggressive cancer and poor prognoses. One promising approach for cancer patients is TL-based immunotherapies. Recent reports suggest that MCs modulate TL activity in solid tumors and may be a potential therapeutic layer in multitargeting anticancer strategies. Pharmacologically modulating MC activity can enhance the anticancer cytotoxic TL response in tumors. By identifying tumor-specific targets, it has been possible to genetically alter patients' cells into fully humanized anticancer cellular therapies for autologous transplantation, including the engineering of TLs and MCs to target and kill cancer cells. Hence, recent scientific evidence provides a broader understanding of MC-TL activity in cancer.

Longitudinal cytokine and multi-modal health data of an extremely severe ME/CFS patient with HSD reveals insights into immunopathology, and disease severity

Introduction

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) presents substantial challenges in patient care due to its intricate multisystem nature, comorbidities, and global prevalence. The heterogeneity among patient populations, coupled with the absence of FDA-approved diagnostics and therapeutics, further complicates research into disease etiology and patient managment. Integrating longitudinal multi-omics data with clinical, health,textual, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical data offers a promising avenue to address these complexities, aiding in the identification of underlying causes and providing insights into effective therapeutics and diagnostic strategies.

Methods

This study focused on an exceptionally severe ME/CFS patient with hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) during a period of marginal symptom improvements. Longitudinal cytokine profiling was conducted alongside the collection of extensive multi-modal health data to explore the dynamic nature of symptoms, severity, triggers, and modifying factors. Additionally, an updated severity assessment platform and two applications, ME-CFSTrackerApp and LexiTime, were introduced to facilitate real-time symptom tracking and enhance patient-physician/researcher communication, and evaluate response to medical intervention.

Results

Longitudinal cytokine profiling revealed the significance of Th2-type cytokines and highlighted synergistic activities between mast cells and eosinophils, skewing Th1 toward Th2 immune responses in ME/CFS pathogenesis, particularly in cognitive impairment and sensorial intolerance. This suggests a potentially shared underlying mechanism with major ME/CFS comorbidities such as HSD, Mast cell activation syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and small fiber neuropathy. Additionally, the data identified potential roles of BCL6 and TP53 pathways in ME/CFS etiology and emphasized the importance of investigating adverse reactions to medication and supplements and drug interactions in ME/CFS severity and progression.

Discussion

Our study advocates for the integration of longitudinal multi-omics with multi-modal health data and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to better understand ME/CFS and its major comorbidities. These findings highlight the significance of dysregulated Th2-type cytokines in patient stratification and precision medicine strategies. Additionally, our results suggest exploring the use of low-dose drugs with partial agonist activity as a potential avenue for ME/CFS treatment. This comprehensive approach emphasizes the importance of adopting a patient-centered care approach to improve ME/CFS healthcare management, disease severity assessment, and personalized medicine. Overall, these findings contribute to our understanding of ME/CFS and offer avenues for future research and clinical practice.

Mast cell activation disrupts interactions between endothelial cells and pericytes during early life allergic asthma

Allergic asthma generally starts during early life and is linked to substantial tissue remodeling and lung dysfunction. Although angiogenesis is a feature of the disrupted airway, the impact of allergic asthma on the pulmonary microcirculation during early life is unknown. Here, using quantitative imaging in precision-cut lung slices (PCLSs), we report that exposure of neonatal mice to house dust mite (HDM) extract disrupts endothelial cell/pericyte interactions in adventitial areas. Central to the blood vessel structure, the loss of pericyte coverage was driven by mast cell (MC) proteases, such as tryptase, that can induce pericyte retraction and loss of the critical adhesion molecule N-cadherin. Furthermore, spatial transcriptomics of pediatric asthmatic endobronchial biopsies suggests intense vascular stress and remodeling linked with increased expression of MC activation pathways in regions enriched in blood vessels. These data provide previously unappreciated insights into the pathophysiology of allergic asthma with potential long-term vascular defects.

Combining avidin with CD63 improves basophil activation test accuracy in classifying peanut allergy

BACKGROUND

Conventional basophil activation tests (BATs) measure basophil activation by the increased expression of CD63. Previously, fluorophore-labeled avidin, a positively-charged molecule, was found to bind to activated basophils, which tend to expose negatively charged granule constituents during degranulation. This study further compares avidin versus CD63 as basophil activation biomarkers in classifying peanut allergy.

METHODS

Seventy subjects with either a peanut allergy (N = 47), a food allergy other than peanut (N = 6), or no food allergy (N = 17) were evaluated. We conducted BATs in response to seven peanut extract (PE) concentrations (0.01-10,000 ng/mL) and four control conditions (no stimulant, anti-IgE, fMLP (N-formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine), and anti-FcεRI). We measured avidin binding and CD63 expression on basophils with flow cytometry. We evaluated logistic regression and XGBoost models for peanut allergy classification and feature identification.

RESULTS

Avidin binding was correlated with CD63 expression. Both markers discriminated between subjects with and without a peanut allergy. Although small by percentage, an avidin+ /CD63- cell subset was found in all allergic subjects tested, indicating that the combination of avidin and CD63 could allow a more comprehensive identification of activated basophils. Indeed, we obtained the best classification accuracy (97.8% sensitivity, 96.7% specificity) by combining avidin and CD63 across seven PE doses. Similar accuracy was obtained by combining PE dose of 10,000 ng/mL for avidin and PE doses of 10 and 100 ng/mL for CD63.

CONCLUSIONS

Avidin and CD63 are reliable BAT activation markers associated with degranulation. Their combination enhances the identification of activated basophils and improves the classification accuracy of peanut allergy.

A convenient fluorimetry-based degranulation assay using RBL-2H3 cells

Type I hypersensitivity is triggered by mast cell degranulation, a stimulus-induced exocytosis of preformed secretory granules (SGs) containing various inflammatory mediators. The degree of degranulation is generally expressed as a percentage of secretory granule markers (such as β-hexosaminidase and histamine) released into the external solution, and considerable time and labor are required for the quantification of markers in both the supernatants and cell lysates. In this study, we developed a simple fluorimetry-based degranulation assay using rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) mast cells. During degranulation, the styryl dye FM1-43 in the external solution fluorescently labeled the newly exocytosed SGs, whose increase in intensity was successively measured using a fluorescence microplate reader. In addition to the rate of β-hexosaminidase secretion, the cellular FM1-43 intensity successfully represented the degree and kinetics of degranulation under various conditions, suggesting that this method facilitates multi-sample and/or multi-time-point analyses required for screening substances regulating mast cell degranulation.

Synovial microenvironment-influenced mast cells promote the progression of rheumatoid arthritis

Mast cells are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous, and their state is possibly controlled by local microenvironment. Therefore, specific analyses are needed to understand whether mast cells function as powerful participants or dispensable bystanders in specific diseases. Here, we show that degranulation of mast cells in inflammatory synovial tissues of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is induced via MAS-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2), and the expression of MHC class II and costimulatory molecules on mast cells are upregulated. Collagen-induced arthritis mice treated with a combination of anti-IL-17A and cromolyn sodium, a mast cell membrane stabilizer, show significantly reduced clinical severity and decreased bone erosion. The findings of the present study suggest that synovial microenvironment-influenced mast cells contribute to disease progression and may provide a further mast cell-targeting therapy for RA.

Widespread monoclonal IgE antibody convergence to an immunodominant, proanaphylactic Ara h 2 epitope in peanut allergy

BACKGROUND

Despite their central role in peanut allergy, human monoclonal IgE antibodies have eluded characterization.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to define the sequences, affinities, clonality, and functional properties of human monoclonal IgE antibodies in peanut allergy.

METHODS

We applied our single-cell RNA sequencing-based SEQ SIFTER discovery platform to samples from allergic individuals who varied by age, sex, ethnicity, and geographic location in order to understand commonalities in the human IgE response to peanut allergens. Select antibodies were then recombinantly expressed and characterized for their allergen and epitope specificity, affinity, and functional properties.

RESULTS

We found striking convergent evolution of IgE monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from several clonal families comprising both memory B cells and plasmablasts. These antibodies bound with subnanomolar affinity to the immunodominant peanut allergen Ara h 2, specifically a linear, repetitive motif. Further characterization of these mAbs revealed their ability to single-handedly cause affinity-dependent degranulation of human mast cells and systemic anaphylaxis on peanut allergen challenge in humanized mice. Finally, we demonstrated that these mAbs, reengineered as IgGs, inhibit significant, but variable, amounts of Ara h 2- and peanut-mediated degranulation of mast cells sensitized with allergic plasma.

CONCLUSIONS

Convergent evolution of IgE mAbs in peanut allergy is a common phenomenon that can reveal immunodominant epitopes on major allergenic proteins. Understanding the functional properties of these molecules is key to developing therapeutics, such as competitive IgG inhibitors, that are able to stoichiometrically outcompete endogenous IgE for allergen and thereby prevent allergic cascade in cases of accidental allergen exposure.

Potential Role of Moesin in Regulating Mast Cell Secretion

Mast cells have existed for millions of years in species that never suffer from allergic reactions. Hence, in addition to allergies, mast cells can play a critical role in homeostasis and inflammation via secretion of numerous vasoactive, pro-inflammatory and neuro-sensitizing mediators. Secretion may utilize different modes that involve the cytoskeleton, but our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating secretion is still not well understood. The Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM) family of proteins is involved in linking cell surface-initiated signaling to the actin cytoskeleton. However, how ERMs may regulate secretion from mast cells is still poorly understood. ERMs contain two functional domains connected through a long α-helix region, the N-terminal FERM (band 4.1 protein-ERM) domain and the C-terminal ERM association domain (C-ERMAD). The FERM domain and the C-ERMAD can bind to each other in a head-to-tail manner, leading to a closed/inactive conformation. Typically, phosphorylation on the C-terminus Thr has been associated with the activation of ERMs, including secretion from macrophages and platelets. It has previously been shown that the ability of the so-called mast cell "stabilizer" disodium cromoglycate (cromolyn) to inhibit secretion from rat mast cells closely paralleled the phosphorylation of a 78 kDa protein, which was subsequently shown to be moesin, a member of ERMs. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of moesin during the inhibition of mast cell secretion was on the N-terminal Ser56/74 and Thr66 residues. This phosphorylation pattern could lock moesin in its inactive state and render it inaccessible to binding to the Soluble NSF attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and synaptosomal-associated proteins (SNAPs) critical for exocytosis. Using confocal microscopic imaging, we showed moesin was found to colocalize with actin and cluster around secretory granules during inhibition of secretion. In conclusion, the phosphorylation pattern and localization of moesin may be important in the regulation of mast cell secretion and could be targeted for the development of effective inhibitors of secretion of allergic and inflammatory mediators from mast cells.

Hapten-Decorated DNA Nanostructures Decipher the Antigen-Mediated Spatial Organization of Antibodies Involved in Mast Cell Activation

The immunological response of mast cells is controlled by the multivalent binding of antigens to immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies bound to the high-affinity receptor FcεRI on the cell membrane surface. However, the spatial organization of antigen-antibody-receptor complexes at the nanometer scale and the structural constraints involved in the initial events at the cell surface are not yet fully understood. For example, it is unclear what influence the affinity and nanoscale distance between the binding partners involved have on the activation of mast cells to degranulate inflammatory mediators from storage granules. We report the use of DNA origami nanostructures (DON) functionalized with different arrangements of the haptenic 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) ligand to generate multivalent artificial antigens with full control over valency and nanoscale ligand architecture. To investigate the spatial requirements for mast cell activation, the DNP-DON complexes were initially used in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis to study the binding kinetics of isolated IgE under physiological conditions. The most stable binding was observed in a narrow window of approximately 16 nm spacing between haptens. In contrast, affinity studies with FcεRI-linked IgE antibodies on the surface of rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) indicated virtually no distance-dependent variations in the binding of the differently structured DNP-DON complexes but suggested a supramolecular oligovalent nature of the interaction. Finally, the use of DNP-DON complexes for mast cell activation revealed that antigen-directed tight assembly of antibody-receptor complexes is the critical factor for triggering degranulation, even more critical than ligand valence. Our study emphasizes the significance of DNA nanostructures for the study of fundamental biological processes.

Exploring Mast Cell-CD8 T Cell Interactions in Inflammatory Skin Diseases

The skin is exposed to environmental challenges and contains skin-resident immune cells, including mast cells (MCs) and CD8 T cells that act as sentinels for pathogens and environmental antigens. Human skin MCs and their mediators participate in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and regulate the recruitment and activity of immune cells involved in the pathogenesis of skin diseases. The cutaneous CD8 T cell compartment is comprised of long-persisting resident memory T cells (TRM) and migratory or recirculating cells; both populations provide durable site immune surveillance. Several lines of evidence indicate that MC-derived products, such as CCL5 and TNF-α, modulate the migration and function of CD8 T cells. Conversely, activated CD8 T cells induce the upregulation of MC costimulatory molecules. Moreover, the close apposition of MCs and CD8 T cells has been recently identified in the skin of several dermatoses, such as alopecia areata. This review outlines the current knowledge about bidirectional interactions between human MCs and CD8 T cells, analyses the alteration of their communication in the context of three common skin disorders in which these cells have been found altered in number or function-psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo-and discusses the current unanswered questions.

Severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with high numbers of alveolar mast cells and their degranulation

Background

The systemic inflammatory response post-SARS-CoV-2 infection increases pro-inflammatory cytokine production, multi-organ damage, and mortality rates. Mast cells (MC) modulate thrombo-inflammatory disease progression (e.g., deep vein thrombosis) and the inflammatory response post-infection.

Objective

To enhance our understanding of the contribution of MC and their proteases in SARS-CoV-2 infection and the pathogenesis of the disease, which might help to identify novel therapeutic targets.

Methods

MC proteases chymase (CMA1), carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3), and tryptase beta 2 (TPSB2), as well as cytokine levels, were measured in the serum of 60 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (30 moderate and 30 severe; severity of the disease assessed by chest CT) and 17 healthy controls by ELISA. MC number and degranulation were quantified by immunofluorescent staining for tryptase in lung autopsies of patients deceased from either SARS-CoV-2 infection or unrelated reasons (control). Immortalized human FcεR1+c-Kit+ LUVA MC were infected with SARS-CoV-2, or treated with its viral proteins, to assess direct MC activation by flow cytometry.

Results

The levels of all three proteases were increased in the serum of patients with COVID-19, and strongly correlated with clinical severity. The density of degranulated MC in COVID-19 lung autopsies was increased compared to control lungs. The total number of released granules and the number of granules per each MC were elevated and positively correlated with von Willebrand factor levels in the lung. SARS-CoV-2 or its viral proteins spike and nucleocapsid did not induce activation or degranulation of LUVA MC in vitro.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 is strongly associated with activation of MC, which likely occurs indirectly, driven by the inflammatory response. The results suggest that plasma MC protease levels could predict the disease course, and that severe COVID-19 patients might benefit from including MC-stabilizing drugs in the treatment scheme.

Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs: How Tumor Cells Defend Against the Siege Weapons of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are the main cellular effectors of the adaptive immune response against cancer cells, which in turn have evolved sophisticated cellular defense mechanisms to withstand CTL attack. Herein we provide a critical review of the pertinent literature on early and late attack/defense events taking place at the CTL/target cell lytic synapse. We examine the earliest steps of CTL-mediated cytotoxicity (“the poison arrows”) elicited within seconds of CTL/target cell encounter, which face commensurately rapid synaptic repair mechanisms on the tumor cell side, providing the first formidable barrier to CTL attack. We examine how breach of this first defensive barrier unleashes the inextinguishable “Greek fire” in the form of granzymes whose broad cytotoxic potential is linked to activation of cell death executioners, injury of vital organelles, and destruction of intracellular homeostasis. Herein tumor cells deploy slower but no less sophisticated defensive mechanisms in the form of enhanced autophagy, increased reparative capacity, and dysregulation of cell death pathways. We discuss how the newly discovered supra-molecular attack particles (SMAPs, the “scorpion bombs”), seek to overcome the robust defensive mechanisms that confer tumor cell resistance. Finally, we discuss the implications of the aforementioned attack/defense mechanisms on the induction of regulated cell death (RCD), and how different contemporary RCD modalities (including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis) may have profound implications for immunotherapy. Thus, we propose that understanding and targeting multiple steps of the attack/defense process will be instrumental to enhance the efficacy of CTL anti-tumor activity and meet the outstanding challenges in clinical immunotherapy.

Calomys callosus: An Experimental Animal Model Applied to Parasitic Diseases Investigations of Public Health Concern

The appearance and spread of parasitic diseases around the world aroused the interest of the scientific community to discover new animal models for improving the quality and specificity of surveys. Calomys callosus is a rodent native to South America, an easy handling model, with satisfactory longevity and reproducibility. C. callosus is susceptible to toxoplasmosis and can be used as experimental model for the study the pathogenesis, treatment, vertical transmission, and ocular toxoplasmosis. C. callosus can also be used to study cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, as the animals present cutaneous lesions, as well as parasites in the organs. C. callosus has epidemiological importance in Chagas disease, and since it is a Trypanosoma cruzi natural host in which rodents show high parasitemia and lethality, they are also effective as a model of congenital transmission. In the study of schistosomiasis, Schistosoma mansoni was proven to be a C. callosus natural host; thus, this rodent is a great model for fibrosis, hepatic granulomatous reaction, and celloma associated with lymphomyeloid tissue (CALT) during S. mansoni infection. In this review, we summarize the leading studies of parasitic diseases that used C. callosus as a rodent experimental model, describing the main uses and characteristics that led them to be considered an effective model.

IgE antibodies increase honeybee venom responsiveness and detoxification efficiency of mast cells

BACKGROUND

In contrast to their clearly defined roles in allergic diseases, the physiologic functions of Immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgEs) and mast cells (MCs) remain enigmatic. Recent research supports the toxin hypothesis, showing that MCs and IgE-related type 2 immune responses can enhance host defense against certain noxious substances, including honeybee venom (BV). However, the mechanisms by which MCs can interfere with BV toxicity are unknown. In this study, we assessed the role of IgE and certain MC products in MC-mediated BV detoxification.

METHODS

We applied in vitro and in vivo fluorescence microscopyimaging, and flow cytometry, fibroblast-based toxicity assays and mass spectrometry to investigate IgE-mediated detoxification of BV cytotoxicity by mouse and human MCs in vitro. Pharmacologic strategies to interfere with MC-derived heparin and proteases helped to define the importance of specific detoxification mechanisms.

RESULTS

Venom-specific IgE increased the degranulation and cytokine responses of MCs to BV in vitro. Passive serum sensitization enhanced MC degranulation in vivo. IgE-activated mouse or human MCs exhibited enhanced potential for detoxifying BV by both proteolytic degradation and heparin-related interference with toxicity. Mediators released by IgE-activated human MCs efficiently degraded multiple BV toxins.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results both reveal that IgE sensitization enhances the MC's ability to detoxify BV and also assign efficient toxin-neutralizing activity to MC-derived heparin and proteases. Our study thus highlights the potential importance of IgE, MCs, and particular MC products in defense against BV.

Mast cell activation tests by flow cytometry: A new diagnostic asset?

Since the late nineties, evidence has accumulated that flow-assisted basophil activation test (BAT) might be an accessible and reliable method to explore the mechanisms governing basophil degranulation and diagnostic allowing correct prediction of the clinical outcome following exposure to the offending allergen(s) and cross-reactive structures for different IgE-dependent allergies and particular forms of autoimmune urticaria. Although the BAT offers many advantages over mediator release tests, it is left with some weaknesses that hinder a wider application. It is preferable to perform the BAT analysis within 4 h of collection, and the technique does not advance diagnosis in patients with non-responsive cells. Besides, the BAT is difficult to standardize mainly because of the difficulty to perform large batch analyses that might span over several days. This article reviews the status of flow cytometric mast cell activation test (MAT) using passively sensitized mast cells (MCs) with patients' sera or plasma (henceforth indicated as passive MAT; pMAT) using both MC lines and cultured MCs in the diagnosis of IgE-dependent allergies. In addition, this paper provides guidance for generating human MCs from peripheral blood CD34⁺ progenitor cells (PBCMCs) and correct interpretation of flow cytometric analyses of activated and/or degranulating cells. With the recent recognition of the mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) occupation as a putative mechanism of immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions (IDHRs), we also speculate how direct activation of MCs (dMAT)-that is direct activation by MRGPRX2 agonists without prior passive sensitization-could advance paradigms for this novel endotype of IDHRs.

Immune Cell Degranulation in Fungal Host Defence

Humans have developed complex immune systems that defend against invading microbes, including fungal pathogens. Many highly specialized cells of the immune system share the ability to store antimicrobial compounds in membrane bound organelles that can be immediately deployed to eradicate or inhibit growth of invading pathogens. These membrane-bound organelles consist of secretory vesicles or granules, which move to the surface of the cell, where they fuse with the plasma membrane to release their contents in the process of degranulation. Lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils all degranulate in fungal host defence. While anti-microbial secretory vesicles are shared among different immune cell types, information about each cell type has emerged independently leading to an uncoordinated and confusing classification of granules and incomplete description of the mechanism by which they are deployed. While there are important differences, there are many similarities in granule morphology, granule content, stimulus for degranulation, granule trafficking, and release of granules against fungal pathogens. In this review, we describe the similarities and differences in an attempt to translate knowledge from one immune cell to another that may facilitate further studies in the context of fungal host defence.

Responses of Mast Cells to Pathogens: Beneficial and Detrimental Roles

Mast cells (MCs) are strategically located in tissues close to the external environment, being one of the first immune cells to interact with invading pathogens. They are long living effector cells equipped with different receptors that allow microbial recognition. Once activated, MCs release numerous biologically active mediators in the site of pathogen contact, which induce vascular endothelium modification, inflammation development and extracellular matrix remodeling. Efficient and direct antimicrobial mechanisms of MCs involve phagocytosis with oxidative and non-oxidative microbial destruction, extracellular trap formation, and the release of antimicrobial substances. MCs also contribute to host defense through the attraction and activation of phagocytic and inflammatory cells, shaping the innate and adaptive immune responses. However, as part of their response to pathogens and under an impaired, sustained, or systemic activation, MCs may contribute to tissue damage. This review will focus on the current knowledge about direct and indirect contribution of MCs to pathogen clearance. Antimicrobial mechanisms of MCs are addressed with special attention to signaling pathways involved and molecular weapons implicated. The role of MCs in a dysregulated host response that can increase morbidity and mortality is also reviewed and discussed, highlighting the complexity of MCs biology in the context of host-pathogen interactions.

Dual vaccination against IL-4 and IL-13 protects against chronic allergic asthma in mice

Allergic asthma is characterized by elevated levels of IgE antibodies, type 2 cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), mucus hypersecretion and eosinophilia. Approved therapeutic monoclonal antibodies targeting IgE or IL-4/IL-13 reduce asthma symptoms but require costly lifelong administrations. Here, we develop conjugate vaccines against mouse IL-4 and IL-13, and demonstrate their prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy in reducing IgE levels, AHR, eosinophilia and mucus production in mouse models of asthma analyzed up to 15 weeks after initial vaccination. More importantly, we also test similar vaccines specific for human IL-4/IL-13 in mice expressing human IL-4/IL-13 and the related receptor, IL-4Rα, to find efficient neutralization of both cytokines and reduced IgE levels for at least 11 weeks post-vaccination. Our results imply that dual IL-4/IL-13 vaccination may represent a cost-effective, long-term therapeutic strategy for the treatment of allergic asthma as demonstrated in mouse models, although additional studies are warranted to assess its safety and feasibility.

Asthma is caused by hyperreactivity to benign antigens, with humoral immunity orchestrated by interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 being the key etiological factor. Here the authors show, in humanized mouse models, that dual vaccination against IL-4 and IL-13 induces their durable suppression ameliorate experimental asthma, and to hint clinical translation.

Cytoskeletal Transport, Reorganization, and Fusion Regulation in Mast Cell-Stimulus Secretion Coupling

Mast cells are well known for their role in allergies and many chronic inflammatory diseases. They release upon stimulation, e.g., via the IgE receptor, numerous bioactive compounds from cytoplasmic secretory granules. The regulation of granule secretion and its interaction with the cytoskeleton and transport mechanisms has only recently begun to be understood. These studies have provided new insight into the interaction between the secretory machinery and cytoskeletal elements in the regulation of the degranulation process. They suggest a tight coupling of these two systems, implying a series of specific signaling effectors and adaptor molecules. Here we review recent knowledge describing the signaling events regulating cytoskeletal reorganization and secretory granule transport machinery in conjunction with the membrane fusion machinery that occur during mast cell degranulation. The new insight into MC biology offers novel strategies to treat human allergic and inflammatory diseases targeting the late steps that affect harmful release from granular stores leaving regulatory cytokine secretion intact.

Cytoskeletal control of the secretory immune synapse

The immune synapse is a very important but often transient site for secretion between immune cells. How secretion is controlled in a coordinated fashion at the synapse is a subject of much investigation. Two key mechanisms are the polarisation of the centrosome and rapid actin dynamics across the immune synapses that form between interacting immune cells. In recent years it has become clear that different immune cells utilise a diversity of immune synapses that modify these mechanisms in order to optimise specialised modes of secretion. Here we describe some of the latest research, focusing on regulation by centrosomal and actin dynamics in a variety of immune cells.

Directional mast cell degranulation of tumor necrosis factor into blood vessels primes neutrophil extravasation

Tissue resident mast cells (MCs) rapidly initiate neutrophil infiltration upon inflammatory insult, yet the molecular mechanism is still unknown. Here, we demonstrated that MC-derived tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was crucial for neutrophil extravasation to sites of contact hypersensitivity-induced skin inflammation by promoting intraluminal crawling. MC-derived TNF directly primed circulating neutrophils via TNF receptor-1 (TNFR1) while being dispensable for endothelial cell activation. The MC-derived TNF was infused into the bloodstream by directional degranulation of perivascular MCs that were part of the vascular unit with access to the vessel lumen. Consistently, intravenous administration of MC granules boosted neutrophil extravasation. Pronounced and rapid intravascular MC degranulation was also observed upon IgE crosslinking or LPs challenge indicating a universal MC potential. Consequently, the directional MC degranulation of pro-inflammatory mediators into the bloodstream may represent an important target for therapeutic approaches aimed at dampening cytokine storm syndromes or shock symptoms, or intentionally pushing immune defense.

Local immune response to food antigens drives meal-induced abdominal pain

Up to 20% of people worldwide develop gastrointestinal symptoms following a meal¹, leading to decreased quality of life, substantial morbidity and high medical costs. Although the interest of both the scientific and lay communities in this issue has increased markedly in recent years, with the worldwide introduction of gluten-free and other diets, the underlying mechanisms of food-induced abdominal complaints remain largely unknown. Here we show that a bacterial infection and bacterial toxins can trigger an immune response that leads to the production of dietary-antigen-specific IgE antibodies in mice, which are limited to the intestine. Following subsequent oral ingestion of the respective dietary antigen, an IgE- and mast-cell-dependent mechanism induced increased visceral pain. This aberrant pain signalling resulted from histamine receptor H₁-mediated sensitization of visceral afferents. Moreover, injection of food antigens (gluten, wheat, soy and milk) into the rectosigmoid mucosa of patients with irritable bowel syndrome induced local oedema and mast cell activation. Our results identify and characterize a peripheral mechanism that underlies food-induced abdominal pain, thereby creating new possibilities for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and related abdominal pain disorders.

Pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis

Ocular toxoplasmosis is a retinitis -almost always accompanied by vitritis and choroiditis- caused by intraocular infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Depending on retinal location, this condition may cause substantial vision impairment. T. gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, with both sexual and asexual life cycles, and infection is typically contracted orally by consuming encysted bradyzoites in undercooked meat, or oocysts on unwashed garden produce or in contaminated water. Presently available anti-parasitic drugs cannot eliminate T. gondii from the body. In vitro studies using T. gondii tachyzoites, and human retinal cells and tissue have provided important insights into the pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis. T. gondii may cross the vascular endothelium to access human retina by at least three routes: in leukocyte taxis; as a transmigrating tachyzoite; and after infecting endothelial cells. The parasite is capable of navigating the human neuroretina, gaining access to a range of cell populations. Retinal Müller glial cells are preferred initial host cells. T. gondii infection of the retinal pigment epithelial cells alters the secretion of growth factors and induces proliferation of adjacent uninfected epithelial cells. This increases susceptibility of the cells to parasite infection, and may be the basis of the characteristic hyperpigmented toxoplasmic retinal lesion. Infected epithelial cells also generate a vigorous immunologic response, and influence the activity of leukocytes that infiltrate the retina. A range of T. gondii genotypes are associated with human ocular toxoplasmosis, and individual immunogenetics -including polymorphisms in genes encoding innate immune receptors, human leukocyte antigens and cytokines- impacts the clinical manifestations. Research into basic pathogenic mechanisms of ocular toxoplasmosis highlights the importance of prevention and suggests new biological drug targets for established disease.

Rapid identification of human mast cell degranulation regulators using functional genomics coupled to high-resolution confocal microscopy

Targeted functional genomics represents a powerful approach for studying gene function in vivo and in vitro. However, its application to gene expression studies in human mast cells has been hampered by low yields of human mast cell cultures and their poor transfection efficiency. We developed an imaging system in which mast cell degranulation can be visualized in single cells subjected to shRNA knockdown or CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing. By using high resolution confocal microscopy and a fluorochrome-labeled avidin probe, one can directly assess the suppression of functional responses, i.e. degranulation, in single human mast cells. The elimination of a drug or marker selection step avoids the use of potentially toxic treatment procedures and the short hands-on time of the functional analysis step enables the high-throughput screening of shRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 constructs to identify genes that regulate human mast cell degranulation. The ability to analyse single cells significantly reduces the total number of cells required, and allows for the parallel visualization of the degranulation profile of both edited and non-edited mast cells, offering a consistent internal control not found in other protocols. Moreover, our protocol offers a flexible choice between RNA interference and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing for perturbation of gene expression using our human mast cell single-cell imaging system. Perturbation of gene expression, acquisition of microscopy data, and image analysis can be completed within 5 days, requiring only standard laboratory equipment and expertise.

This protocol presents an an imaging system in which mast cell degranulation can be visualized in single cells subjected to shRNA knockdown or CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing using high resolution confocal microscopy with a fluorochrome-labeled avidin probe.

Mast Cell Activation Test (MAT)

The mast cell (MC) activation assay is a robust in vitro tool for exploring MC reactivity in allergy. Here we describe the use of the mast cell activation test (MAT) that makes use of human primary MCs generated from peripheral blood progenitors, sensitized overnight with patients' sera and activated with allergens. Flow cytometry is used to assess the changes in expression of the activation marker CD63, and the percentage of cell degranulation is defined as the percentage of CD63⁺-positive MCs.

Cytoskeletal actin patterns shape mast cell activation

Activation of immune cells relies on a dynamic actin cytoskeleton. Despite detailed knowledge of molecular actin assembly, the exact processes governing actin organization during activation remain elusive. Using advanced microscopy, we here show that Rat Basophilic Leukemia (RBL) cells, a model mast cell line, employ an orchestrated series of reorganization events within the cortical actin network during activation. In response to IgE antigen-stimulation of FCε receptors (FCεR) at the RBL cell surface, we observed symmetry breaking of the F-actin network and subsequent rapid disassembly of the actin cortex. This was followed by a reassembly process that may be driven by the coordinated transformation of distinct nanoscale F-actin architectures, reminiscent of self-organizing actin patterns. Actin patterns co-localized with zones of Arp2/3 nucleation, while network reassembly was accompanied by myosin-II activity. Strikingly, cortical actin disassembly coincided with zones of granule secretion, suggesting that cytoskeletal actin patterns contribute to orchestrate RBL cell activation.

Huw Colin-York et al. use advanced microscopy techniques to show that the cortical actin network within a model mast cell line undergoes a series of reorganizational events at the basal interface during activation. They find that actin patterns co-localize with zones of Arp2/3 nucleation and myosin-II activity accompanies network reassembly.

Calcium-dependent, non-apoptotic, large plasma membrane bleb formation in physiologically stimulated mast cells and basophils

Large membrane derangements in the form of non-detaching blebs or membrane protrusions occur in a variety of cell stress and physiological situations and do not always reflect apoptotic processes. They have been studied in model mast cells under conditions of cell stress, but their potential physiological relevance to mast cell function and formation in primary mast cells or basophils have not been addressed. In the current study, we examine the large, non-detaching, non-apoptotic, membrane structures that form in model and primary mast cells under conditions of stimulation that are relevant to allergy, atopy and Type IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions. We characterized the inflation kinetics, dependency of formation upon external free calcium and striking geometric consistency of formation for large plasma membrane blebs (LPMBs). We describe that immunologically stimulated LPMBs in mast cells are constrained to form in locations where dissociation of the membrane-associated cytoskeleton occurs. Mast cell LPMBs decorate with wheat germ agglutinin, suggesting that they contain plasma membrane (PM) lectins. Electrophysiological capacitance measurements support a model where LPMBs are not being formed from internal membranes newly fused into the PM, but rather arise from stretching of the existing membrane, or inflation and smoothing of a micro-ruffled PM. This study provides new insights into the physiological manifestations of LPMB in response to immunologically relevant stimuli and in the absence of cell stress, death or apoptotic pathways.

The controversial role of mast cells in fibrosis

Fibrosis is a medical condition characterized by an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix compounds such as collagen in tissues. Fibrotic lesions are present in many diseases and can affect all organs. The excessive extracellular matrix accumulation in these conditions can often have serious consequences and in many cases be life-threatening. A typical event seen in many fibrotic conditions is a profound accumulation of mast cells (MCs), suggesting that these cells can contribute to the pathology. Indeed, there is now substantialv evidence pointing to an important role of MCs in fibrotic disease. However, investigations from various clinical settings and different animal models have arrived at partly contradictory conclusions as to how MCs affect fibrosis, with many studies suggesting a detrimental role of MCs whereas others suggest that MCs can be protective. Here, we review the current knowledge of how MCs can affect fibrosis.

CD45 exclusion- and cross-linking-based receptor signaling together broaden FcεRI reactivity

For many years, the high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE) FcεRI, which is expressed by mast cells and basophils, has been widely held to be the exemplar of cross-linking (that is, aggregation dependent) signaling receptors. We found, however, that FcεRI signaling could occur in the presence or absence of receptor cross-linking. Using both cell and cell-free systems, we showed that FcεRI signaling was stimulated by surface-associated monovalent ligands through the passive, size-dependent exclusion of the receptor-type tyrosine phosphatase CD45 from plasma membrane regions of FcεRI-ligand engagement. Similarly to the T cell receptor, FcεRI signaling could also be initiated in a ligand-independent manner. These data suggest that a simple mechanism of CD45 exclusion-based receptor triggering could function together with cross-linking-based FcεRI signaling, broadening mast cell and basophil reactivity by enabling these cells to respond to both multivalent and surface-presented monovalent antigens. These findings also strengthen the case that a size-dependent, phosphatase exclusion-based receptor triggering mechanism might serve generally to facilitate signaling by noncatalytic immune receptors.

Mast Cells Respond to Candida albicans Infections and Modulate Macrophages Phagocytosis of the Fungus

Mast cells (MCs) are long-lived immune cells widely distributed at mucosal surfaces and are among the first immune cell type that can get in contact with the external environment. This study aims to unravel the mechanisms of reciprocal influence between mucosal MCs and Candida albicans as commensal/opportunistic pathogen species in humans. Stimulation of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) with live forms of C. albicans induced the release of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-13, and IL-4. Quite interestingly, BMMCs were able to engulf C. albicans hyphae, rearranging their α-tubulin cytoskeleton and accumulating LAMP1+ vesicles at the phagocytic synapse with the fungus. Candida-infected MCs increased macrophage crawling ability and promoted their chemotaxis against the infection. On the other side, resting MCs inhibited macrophage phagocytosis of C. albicans in a contact-dependent manner. Taken together, these results indicate that MCs play a key role in the maintenance of the equilibrium between the host and the commensal fungus C. albicans, limiting pathological fungal growth and modulating the response of resident macrophages during infections.

Distal respiratory tract viral infections in young children trigger a marked increase in alveolar mast cells

Viral infections predispose to the development of childhood asthma, a disease associated with increased lung mast cells (MCs). This study investigated whether viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) can already evoke a MC response during childhood.

Lung tissue from young children who died following LRTIs were processed for immunohistochemical identification of MCs. Children who died from nonrespiratory causes served as controls. MCs were examined in relation to sensitisation in infant mice exposed to allergen during influenza A infection.

Increased numbers of MCs were observed in the alveolar parenchyma of children infected with LRTIs (median (range) 12.5 (0–78) MCs per mm²) compared to controls (0.63 (0–4) MCs per mm², p=0.0005). The alveolar MC expansion was associated with a higher proportion of CD34⁺ tryptase⁺ progenitors (controls: 0% (0–1%); LRTIs: 0.9% (0–3%) CD34⁺ MCs (p=0.01)) and an increased expression of the vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 (controls: 0.2 (0.07–0.3); LRTIs: 0.3 (0.02–2) VCAM-1 per mm² (p=0.04)). Similarly, infant mice infected with H1N1 alone or together with house dust mite (HDM) developed an increase in alveolar MCs (saline: 0.4 (0.3–0.5); HDM: 0.6 (0.4–0.9); H1N1: 1.4 (0.4–2.0); HDM+H1N1: 2.2 (1.2–4.4) MCs per mm² (p<0.0001)). Alveolar MCs continued to increase and remained significantly higher into adulthood when exposed to H1N1+HDM (day 36: 2.2 (1.2–4.4); day 57: 4.6 (1.6–15) MCs per mm² (p=0.01)) but not when infected with H1N1 alone.

Our data demonstrate that distal viral infections in young children evoke a rapid accumulation of alveolar MCs. Apart from revealing a novel immune response to distal infections, our data may have important implications for the link between viral infections during early childhood and subsequent asthma development.

Viral infections in children evokes a rapid recruitment and accumulation of mast cells in the alveolar parenchymahttp://ow.ly/i9eN30meNM7

Rapid and Efficient Production of Human Functional Mast Cells through a Three-Dimensional Culture of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Vascular Cells

Mast cells (MC) are innate immune cells involved in many physiological and pathological processes. However, studies of MC function and biology are hampered by the difficulties to obtain human primary MC. To solve this problem, we established a new method to produce easily and rapidly high numbers of MC for in vitro studies using human adipose tissue, which is an abundant and easy access tissue. Stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue, obtained from human abdominal dermolipectomy, was cultured as spheroids in serum free medium supplemented in stem cell factor. Using this method, we generated, within 3 wk, a highly pure population of connective tissue-type MC expressing MC typical peptidases (tryptase, chymase, and carboxypeptidase-A3) with a yield increasing over time. Stem cell factor was required for this culture, but unlike MC derived from CD34⁺ cells, this culture did not depend on IL-3 and -6. MC obtained with this method degranulated following FcεRI cross-linking or stimulation by C5a, compound 48/80, and substance P. Interestingly, activation by anti-IgE of both white adipose tissue-MC and MC obtained from peripheral blood-derived CD34⁺ pluripotent progenitor cells induced the production of PGs as well as proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, Il-6, and GM-CSF). In conclusion, we developed a new time saving and reproducible method to produce highly pure and functional human MC in 3 wk from human adipose tissue.

Engulfment of mast cell secretory granules on skin inflammation boosts dendritic cell migration and priming efficiency

BACKGROUND

Mast cells (MCs) are best known as key effector cells of allergic reactions, but they also play an important role in host defense against pathogens. Despite increasing evidence for a critical effect of MCs on adaptive immunity, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

Here we monitored MC intercellular communication with dendritic cells (DCs), MC activation, and degranulation and tracked the fate of exocytosed mast cell granules (MCGs) during skin inflammation.

METHODS

Using a strategy to stain intracellular MCGs in vivo, we tracked the MCG fate after skin inflammation-induced MC degranulation. Furthermore, exogenous MCGs were applied to MC-deficient mice by means of intradermal injection. MCG effects on DC functionality and adaptive immune responses in vivo were assessed by combining intravital multiphoton microscopy with flow cytometry and functional assays.

RESULTS

We demonstrate that dermal DCs engulf the intact granules exocytosed by MCs on skin inflammation. Subsequently, the engulfed MCGs are actively shuttled to skin-draining lymph nodes and finally degraded inside DCs within the lymphoid tissue. Most importantly, MCG uptake promotes DC maturation and migration to skin-draining lymph nodes, partially through MC-derived TNF, and boosts their T-cell priming efficiency. Surprisingly, exogenous MCGs alone are sufficient to induce a prominent DC activation and T-cell response.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights a unique feature of peripheral MCs to affect lymphoid tissue-borne adaptive immunity over distance by modifying DC functionality through delivery of granule-stored mediators.

Video-Rate Bioluminescence Imaging of Degranulation of Mast Cells Attached to the Extracellular Matrix

Degranulation refers to the secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine, serotonin, and proteases, that are stored within the granules of mast cells and that trigger allergic reactions. The amount of these released mediators has been measured biochemically using cell mass. To investigate degranulation in living single cells, fluorescence microscopy has traditionally been used to observe the disappearance of granules and the appearance of these discharged granules within the plasma membrane by membrane fusion and the movement of granules inside the cells. Here, we developed a method of video-rate bioluminescence imaging to directly detect degranulation from a single mast cell by measuring luminescence activity derived from the enzymatic reaction between Gaussia luciferase (GLase) and its substrate coelenterazine. The neuropeptide Y (NPY), which was reported to colocalize with serotonin in the secretory granules, fused to GLase (NPY-GLase) was efficiently expressed in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells, a mast-cell line, using a preferred human codon-optimized gene. Bioluminescence imaging analysis of RBL-2H3 cells expressing NPY-GLase and adhered on a glass-bottomed dish showed that the luminescence signals from the resting cells were negligible, while the luminescence signals of the secreted NPY-GLase were repeatedly detected after the addition of an antigen. In addition, this imaging method was applicable for observing degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells that adhered to the extracellular matrix (ECM). These results indicated that video-rate bioluminescence imaging using GLase will be a useful tool for detecting degranulation in single mast cells adhered to a variety of ECM proteins.

Genetic and Imaging Approaches Reveal Pro-Inflammatory and Immunoregulatory Roles of Mast Cells in Contact Hypersensitivity

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a common T cell-mediated skin disease induced by epicutaneous sensitization to haptens. Mast cells (MCs) are widely deployed in the skin and can be activated during CHS responses to secrete diverse products, including some with pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions. Conflicting results have been obtained regarding pathogenic versus protective roles of MCs in CHS, and this has been attributed in part to the limitations of certain models for studying MC functions in vivo. This review discusses recent advances in the development and analysis of mouse models to investigate the roles of MCs and MC-associated products in vivo. Notably, fluorescent avidin-based two-photon imaging approaches enable in vivo selective labeling and simultaneous tracking of MC secretory granules (e.g., during MC degranulation) and MC gene activation by real-time longitudinal intravital microscopy in living mice. The combination of such genetic and imaging tools has shed new light on the controversial role played by MCs in mouse models of CHS. On the one hand, they can amplify CHS responses of mild severity while, on the other hand, can limit the inflammation and tissue injury associated with more severe or chronic models, in part by representing an initial source of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.

Mechanistic Insights of an Immunological Adverse Event Induced by an Anti-KIT Antibody Drug Conjugate and Mitigation Strategies

Purpose: Hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) were observed in three patients dosed in a phase I clinical trial treated with LOP628, a KIT targeted antibody drug conjugate. Mast cell degranulation was implicated as the root cause for the HSR. Underlying mechanism of this reported HSR was investigated with an aim to identifying potential mitigation strategies.Experimental Design: Biomarkers for mast cell degranulation were evaluated in patient samples and in human peripheral blood cell-derived mast cell (PBC-MC) cultures treated with LOP628. Mitigation strategies interrogated include pretreatment of mast cells with small molecule inhibitors that target KIT or signaling pathways downstream of FcεR1, FcγR, and treatment with Fc silencing antibody formats.Results: Transient elevation of serum tryptase was observed in patients 1-hour posttreatment of LOP628. In agreement with the clinical observation, LOP628 and its parental antibody LMJ729 induced degranulation of human PBC-MCs. Unexpectedly, KIT small molecule inhibitors did not abrogate mast cell degranulation. By contrast, small molecule inhibitors that targeted pathways downstream of Fc receptors blunted degranulation. Furthermore, interference of the KIT antibody to engage Fc receptors by pre-incubation with IgG or using engineered Fc silencing mutations reduced or prevented degranulation. Characterization of Fcγ receptors revealed human PBC-MCs expressed both FcγRII and low levels of FcγRI. Interestingly, increasing the level of FcγRI upon addition of IFNγ, significantly enhanced LOP628-mediated mast cell degranulation.Conclusions: Our data suggest LOP628-mediated mast cell degranulation is the likely cause of HSR observed in the clinic due to co-engagement of the FcγR and KIT, resulting in mast cell activation. Clin Cancer Res; 24(14); 3465-74. ©2018 AACR.

Mast cell activation test in the diagnosis of allergic disease and anaphylaxis

Background

Food allergy is an increasing public health issue and the most common cause of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Conventional allergy tests assess for the presence of allergen-specific IgE, significantly overestimating the rate of true clinical allergy and resulting in overdiagnosis and adverse effect on health-related quality of life.

Objective

To undertake initial validation and assessment of a novel diagnostic tool, we used the mast cell activation test (MAT).

Methods

Primary human blood-derived mast cells (MCs) were generated from peripheral blood precursors, sensitized with patients' sera, and then incubated with allergen. MC degranulation was assessed by means of flow cytometry and mediator release. We compared the diagnostic performance of MATs with that of existing diagnostic tools to assess in a cohort of peanut-sensitized subjects undergoing double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge.

Results

Human blood-derived MCs sensitized with sera from patients with peanut, grass pollen, and Hymenoptera (wasp venom) allergy demonstrated allergen-specific and dose-dependent degranulation, as determined based on both expression of surface activation markers (CD63 and CD107a) and functional assays (prostaglandin D₂ and β-hexosaminidase release). In this cohort of peanut-sensitized subjects, the MAT was found to have superior discrimination performance compared with other testing modalities, including component-resolved diagnostics and basophil activation tests. Using functional principle component analysis, we identified 5 clusters or patterns of reactivity in the resulting dose-response curves, which at preliminary analysis corresponded to the reaction phenotypes seen at challenge.

Conclusion

The MAT is a robust tool that can confer superior diagnostic performance compared with existing allergy diagnostics and might be useful to explore differences in effector cell function between basophils and MCs during allergic reactions.

Functional role of kynurenine and aryl hydrocarbon receptor axis in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is associated with mast cell-mediated inflammation and heightened oxidant stress. Kynurenine (KYN), an endogenous tryptophan metabolite, can promote allergen-induced mast cell activation through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR).

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the role of the KYN/AhR axis and oxidant stress in mast cell activation and the development of CRSwNP.

METHODS

We measured the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, KYN, and oxidized calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (ox-CaMKII) in nasal polyps and controls. KYN-potentiated ovalbumin (OVA)-induced ROS generation, cell activation, and ox-CaMKII expression were investigated in wild-type and AhR-deficient (AhR-/-) mast cells. The role of ox-CaMKII in mast cell activation was further investigated.

RESULTS

Nasal polyps in CRSwNP showed an increased expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, tryptophan2,3-dioxygenase, and KYN compared with controls. AhR was predominantly expressed in mast cells in nasal polyps. Activated mast cells and local IgE levels were substantially increased in eosinophilic polyps compared with noneosinophilic polyps and controls. Furthermore, KYN potentiated OVA-induced ROS generation, intracellular Ca2+ levels, cell activation, and expression of ox-CaMKII in wild-type, but not in AhR-/- mast cells. Compared with noneosinophilic polyps and controls, eosinophilic polyps showed increased expression of ox-CaMKII in mast cells. Mast cells from ROS-resistant CaMKII MMVVδ mice or pretreated with CaMKII inhibitor showed protection against KYN-promoted OVA-induced mast cell activation.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies support a potentially critical but previously unidentified function of the KYN/AhR axis in regulating IgE-mediated mast cell activation through ROS and ox-CaMKII in CRSwNP.

FcγRII-binding Centyrins mediate agonism and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis when fused to an anti-OX40 antibody

Immunostimulatory antibodies against the tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFR) are emerging as promising cancer immunotherapies. The agonism activity of such antibodies depends on crosslinking to Fc gamma RIIB receptor (FcγRIIB) to enable the antibody multimerization that drives TNFR activation. Previously, Fc engineering was used to enhance the binding of such antibodies to Fcγ receptors. Here, we report the identification of Centyrins as alternative scaffold proteins with binding affinities to homologous FcγRIIB and FcγRIIA, but not to other types of Fcγ receptors. One Centyrin, S29, was engineered at distinct positions of an anti-OX40 SF2 antibody to generate bispecific and tetravalent molecules named as mAbtyrins. Regardless of the position of S29 on the SF2 antibody, SF2-S29 mAbtyrins could bind FcγRIIB and FcγRIIA specifically while maintaining binding to OX40 receptors. In a NFκB reporter assay, attachment of S29 Centyrin molecules at the C-termini, but not the N-termini, resulted in SF2 antibodies with increased agonism owing to FcγRIIB crosslinking. The mAbtyrins also showed agonism in T-cell activation assays with immobilized FcγRIIB and FcγRIIA, but this activity was confined to mAbtyrins with S29 specifically at the C-termini of antibody heavy chains. Furthermore, regardless of the position of the molecule, S29 Centyrin could equip an otherwise Fc-silent antibody with antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis activity without affecting the antibody's intrinsic antibody-dependent cell-meditated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. In summary, the appropriate adoption FcγRII-binding Centyrins as functional modules represents a novel strategy to engineer therapeutic antibodies with improved functionalities.

Mast cells acquire MHCII from dendritic cells during skin inflammation

Dudeck et al. demonstrate that inflammatory conditions induce dynamic interactions between mast cells (MCs) and dendritic cells (DCs) culminating in protein exchange. Resident MCs are equipped with DC MHCII and empowered to initiate T cell–driven inflammation during migration-based DC absence.

Mast cells (MCs) and dendritic cells (DCs) are essential innate sentinels populating host-environment interfaces. Using longitudinal intravital multiphoton microscopy of DC^GFP/MC^RFP reporter mice, we herein provide in vivo evidence that migratory DCs execute targeted cell-to-cell interactions with stationary MCs before leaving the inflamed skin to draining lymph nodes. During initial stages of skin inflammation, DCs dynamically scan MCs, whereas at a later stage, long-lasting interactions predominate. These innate-to-innate synapse-like contacts ultimately culminate in DC-to-MC molecule transfers including major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) proteins enabling subsequent ex vivo priming of allogeneic T cells with a specific cytokine signature. The extent of MHCII transfer to MCs correlates with their T cell priming efficiency. Importantly, preventing the cross talk by preceding DC depletion decreases MC antigen presenting capacity and T cell–driven inflammation. Consequently, we identify an innate intercellular communication arming resident MCs with key DC functions that might contribute to the acute defense potential during critical periods of migration-based DC absence.

The FcεRI Signaling Cascade and Integrin Trafficking Converge at Patterned Ligand Surfaces

We examined the spatial targeting of early and downstream signaling mediated by the IgE receptor (FcεRI) in RBL mast cells utilizing surface-patterned 2,4 dinitrophenyl (DNP) ligands. Micron-sized features of DNP are presented as densely immobilized conjugates of bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA) or mobile in a supported lipid bilayer (DNP-SLB). Although soluble anti-DNP IgE binds uniformly across features for both pattern types, IgE bound to FcεRI on cells shows distinctive distributions: uniform for DNP-SLB and edge-concentrated for DNP-BSA. These distributions of IgE-FcεRI propagate to the spatial recruitment of early signaling proteins, including spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), linker for activation of T cells (LAT), and activated phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCγ1), which all localize with engaged receptors. We found stimulated polymerization of F-actin is not required for Syk recruitment but is progressively involved in the recruitment of LAT and PLCγ1. We further found β1- and β3-integrins colocalize with IgE-FcεRI at patterned ligand surfaces as cells spread. This recruitment corresponds to directed exocytosis of recycling endosomes (REs) containing these integrins and their fibronectin ligand. Together, our results show targeting of signaling components, including integrins, to regions of clustered IgE-FcεRI in processes that depend on stimulated actin polymerization and outward trafficking of REs.

Peripheral inflammatory pain sensitisation is independent of mast cell activation in male mice

The immune and sensory systems are known for their close proximity and interaction. Indeed, in a variety of pain states, a myriad of different immune cells are activated and recruited, playing a key role in neuronal sensitisation. During inflammatory pain it is thought that mast cells (MC) are one of the immune cell types involved in this process, but so far the evidence outlining their direct effect on neuronal cells remains unclear. To clarify whether MC are involved in inflammatory pain states, we used a transgenic mouse line (Mctp5Cre-iDTR) in which MC could be depleted in an inducible manner by administration of diphtheria toxin. Our results show that ablation of MC in male mice did not result in any change in mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in the CFA model of inflammatory pain. Similarly, edema and temperature triggered by CFA inflammation at the injection site remained identical in MC depleted mice compared with their littermate controls. In addition, we show that Mctp5Cre-iDTR mice display normal levels of mechanical hypersensitivity after local injection of nerve growth factor (NGF), a factor well characterised to produce peripheral sensitisation and for being upregulated upon injury and inflammation. We also demonstrate that NGF treatment in vitro does not lead to an increased level of tumor necrosis factor-α in bone marrow-derived MC. Furthermore, our qRT-PCR data reveal that MC express negligible levels of NGF receptors, thereby explaining the lack of response to NGF. Together, our data suggest that MC do not play a direct role in peripheral sensitisation during inflammatory conditions.

An optimized protocol for the generation and functional analysis of human mast cells from CD34+ enriched cell populations

The culture of mast cells from human tissues such a cord blood, peripheral blood or bone marrow aspirates has advanced our understanding of human mast cells (huMC) degranulation, mediator production and response to pharmacologic agents. However, existing methods for huMC culture tend to be laborious and expensive. Combining technical approaches from several of these protocols, we designed a simplified and more cost effective approach to the culture of mast cells from human cell populations including peripheral blood and cryopreserved cells from lymphocytapheresis. On average, we reduced by 30-50 fold the amount of culture media compared to our previously reported method, while the total MC number generated by this method (2.46±0.63×10⁶ vs. 2.4±0.28×10⁶, respectively, from 1.0×10⁸ lymphocytapheresis or peripheral blood mononuclear blood cells [PBMCs]) was similar to our previous method (2.36±0.70×10⁶), resulting in significant budgetary savings. In addition, we compared the yield of huMCs with or without IL-3 added to early cultures in the presence of stem cell factor (SCF) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) and found that the total MC number generated, while higher with IL-3 in the culture, did not reach statistical significance, suggesting that IL-3, often recommended in the culture of huMCs, is not absolutely required. We then performed a functional analysis by flow cytometry using standard methods and which maximized the data we could obtain from cultured cells. We believe these approaches will allow more laboratories to culture and examine huMC behavior going forward.

The TNF-α of mast cells induces pro-inflammatory responses during infection with Acinetobacter baumannii

Mast cells serve important roles as sentinels against bacterial infection by secreting mediators stored in granules. Much of their effectiveness depends upon recruiting and/or modulating other immune cells. The location of mast cells implies that they recognize pathogens invading tissues or mucosal tissues. Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacterium that is considered an emerging nosocomial pathogen and causes a wide range of infections associated with high morbidity and mortality. To date, the interaction of A. baumannii with mast cells remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated an interaction between human LAD2 mast cells and A. baumannii in vitro. When LAD2 cells were co-cultured with live A. baumannii or Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in vitro for 4h, TNF-α and IL-8 were produced in the culture supernatant. These inflammatory cytokines were not detected in the supernatant after the cells were treated with live bacteria without serum. Gene expression analysis showed that TNF-α and IL-8 mRNA expression increased in A. baumannii- and P. aeruginosa-infected LAD2 cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed that A. baumannii was tightly attached to the surface of LAD2 cells and suggested that A. baumannii may bind to FcγRII (CD32) on LAD2 cells. TNF-α in the culture supernatant from A. baumannii-infected LAD2 cells, showed that PMN activation and migration increased in Boyden chamber assays. These results suggest that mast cells recognize and initiate immune responses toward A. baumannii by releasing the preformed mediator TNF-α to activate effector neutrophils.

Imaging protective mast cells in living mice during severe contact hypersensitivity

Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a common skin disease induced by epicutaneous sensitization to haptens. Conflicting results have been obtained regarding pathogenic versus protective roles of mast cells (MCs) in CHS, and this has been attributed in part to the limitations of certain models for studying MC functions in vivo. Here we describe a fluorescent imaging approach that enables in vivo selective labeling and tracking of MC secretory granules by real-time intravital 2-photon microscopy in living mice, and permits the identification of such MCs as a potential source of cytokines in different disease models. We show using this method that dermal MCs release their granules progressively into the surrounding microenvironment, but also represent an initial source of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10, during the early phase of severe CHS reactions. Finally, using 3 different types of MC-deficient mice, as well as mice in which IL-10 is ablated specifically in MCs, we show that IL-10 production by MCs can significantly limit the inflammation and tissue pathology observed in severe CHS reactions.