The role of Th2 cytokines in mast cell homeostasis

Summary: Homeostatic mechanisms regulating mast cell numbers and function in peripheral tissues have largely focused on cytokines, such as stem cell factor, interleukin (IL)‐3, IL‐4, and IL‐10, which regulate mast cell maintenance and proliferation. Despite these advances, little attention has been paid to the mechanisms that mediate mature mast cell turnover, and control of mast cell hyperplasia generated during Th2‐mediated responses. These are important issues, as mast cells are now known to be multi‐functional effector cells, that have the capacity to mediate both innate and Th2‐induced immune responses. Numerous secretagogues may elicit mast cells to release a large number of important mediators that can cause chronic inflammation. Therefore, how mast cell homeostasis is regulated may have significant effects on normal physiology, and contribute to the genesis of inflammatory disease. Our laboratory has characterized an in vitro model of mast cell homeostasis, by which long‐term exposure of murine bone‐marrow‐derived mast cells to the Th2‐derived cytokines IL‐3, IL‐4, and IL‐10, will induce downregulation of critical mast cell effector proteins such as Kit and FcεRI, followed by mast cell apoptosis. These data offer a novel role for Th2 cytokines, acting to both initiate and resolve mast cell activation and proliferation. Loss of these signals may contribute to a multitude of diseases, such as mastocytosis and allergy.