TGF-beta1 inhibits late-stage mast cell maturation

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 on mast cell development.

Mast cells were cultured from mouse bone marrow in interleukin (IL)-3 + stem cell factor, in the presence or absence of TGF-beta1. We assessed mast cell development by measuring the expression of kit, T1/ST2, FcvarepsilonRI, and Fcgamma receptors. Cell morphology was determined by histochemical staining. Alterations in FcvarepsilonRI subunit expression were measured by Western blot analysis. Adoptive transfer of cultured mast cells into mast cell-deficient W/W(v) mice was used to determine if the in vivo environment could reverse the inhibitory effects of TGF-beta1.

TGF-beta1 decreased FcvarepsilonRI, c-kit, T1/ST2, and FcgammaR expression, and inhibited granule formation in developing mast cells. Accessory cells were not required for this inhibition. Smad3 deficiency did not alter the response of bone marrow cells to TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1 inhibited expression of the FcvarepsilonRI alpha subunit protein, without decreasing beta or gamma proteins. Mast cells derived in the presence of TGF-beta1 were functionally impaired, as IgE-mediated cytokine secretion was greatly reduced. The changes in granule formation and surface antigen expression were long-standing, as they were not reversed by transfer to W/W(v) mice.

TGF-beta1 may contribute to mast cell homeostasis by inhibiting maturation from bone marrow precursors. The effects of TGF-beta1 result in greatly diminished expression of cell surface markers, reduced granulation, and lack of responsiveness to IgE-mediated activation. Thus TGF-beta1 can serve as a potent and multifunctional regulator of mast cell maturation.