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Stem cell factor-induced airway hyperreactivity in allergic and normal mice
E Campbell1, C Hogaboam, P Lincoln
1University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Pathology, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0602, USA.
The American Journal of Pathology
|May 11, 1999
Summary
Stem cell factor (SCF) drives allergic airway inflammation and hyperreactivity by activating mast cells. Blocking SCF or using SCF-deficient mice significantly reduces these allergic responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Allergic airway hyperreactivity mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Stem cell factor (SCF) has been recently implicated in allergic eosinophilic airway inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SCF in allergic airway inflammation and hyperreactivity.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which SCF influences airway hyperreactivity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized SCF neutralization and SCF-mutant mice deficient in SCF and pulmonary mast cells.
- Administered SCF intratracheally into normal and SCF-deficient mice.
- Assessed allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity and eosinophil accumulation.
Main Results:
- SCF neutralization and deficiency significantly reduced allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity and eosinophil accumulation.
- Intratracheal SCF administration induced dose-dependent airway hyperreactivity in normal mice.
- SCF-deficient mice showed significantly lower increases in airway hyperreactivity upon SCF instillation compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Locally expressed SCF induces airway hyperreactivity through mast cell activation.
- SCF plays a critical role in allergic airway inflammation and the development of airway hyperreactivity.