IL-4 enhances proliferation and mediator release in mature human mast cells

Tissue mast cells (MC) are recognized as key effector cells of immediate-type allergic reactions releasing inflammatory mediators and cytokines on stimulation with antigen, but they also might be involved in IgE-independent inflammatory and tissue repair processes. The mechanism of human MC regulation in tissue is not fully understood. Here, we show that IL-4, in synergy with stem cell factor (SCF), regulates the function of purified human MC isolated from intestinal tissue. Whereas SCF induced only marginal proliferation of MC cultured in vitro up to 4 weeks, addition of IL-4 and SCF strongly increased the proliferation rate. Moreover, IL-4, which by itself had no visible effect on human MC, enhanced the release of histamine, leukotriene C4, and IL-5 in MC triggered by IgE receptor crosslinking. The IL-4 effects occurred in a dose-dependent fashion (ED50 = 100 pg/ml) and could be totally blocked by a competitive IL-4 receptor antagonist. Our data indicate that IL-4 is an important regulator of human MC function and suggest that mature MC retain the capacity to proliferate in a particular tissue environment.