IgE-receptor activation induces survival and Bfl-1 expression in human mast cells but not basophils.

BACKGROUND

The contribution of mast cells to the pathology of allergic diseases are facilitated by their long life span in tissue and ability to regranulate. Bcl-2 genes are one of the main regulators of cell death and survival. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for mast cell survival in allergy.

METHODS

Bcl-2 family gene expression in human mast cells and basophils was analyzed by ribonuclease protection assay and by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Cell survival was measured by mixing cells with the vital dye, trypan blue, and the number of living cells was enumerated. Apoptotic cells were measured by a Cell Death Detection ELISA.

RESULTS

We found that cross-linking of FcepsilonRI on human cord blood cultured mast cells (CBCMCs) promoted cell survival and induced expression of the pro-survival gene Bfl-1. CBCMCs were found to express both Bfl-1 and Bfl-1S, two splicing variants of Bfl-1. Bfl-1 induction was mediated through Syk, PI3-kinase and intracellular calcium mobilization, since piceatannol, wortmannin and EDTA, respectively, significantly reduced Bfl-1 expression levels. In contrast to CBCMCs, no evidence was found for Bfl-1 expression and survival promotion in human basophils.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent activation-induced mast cell survival was correlated with Bfl-1 gene upregulation, providing a possible explanation for mast cell longevity in allergic reactions.