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Published on: May 27, 2015
Characterization of syk expression in human lung mast cells: relationship with function
1Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine, The Medical School (Floor M), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Summary
Syk expression levels do not determine human lung mast cell responsiveness to IgE. Despite this, syk plays a role in degranulation, and inhibiting syk can reduce histamine release in allergic asthma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Syk (spleen tyrosine kinase) is crucial for FcεRI-mediated signaling in immune cells.
- Human basophil 'releasability' correlates with Syk expression.
- Human lung mast cells exhibit variable responses to IgE-dependent activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between Syk expression and the variable responsiveness of human lung mast cells to IgE-dependent activation.
Main Methods:
- Mast cells were isolated from human lung tissue.
- Cellular 'releasability' was assessed via anti-IgE activation and histamine release measurement.
- Syk protein levels were quantified using immunoblotting and flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Human lung mast cells express low and variable Syk levels compared to mononuclear cells.
- No correlation was found between Syk expression levels and mast cell histamine release.
- Syk inhibition, using NVP-QAB205, effectively reduced IgE-dependent histamine release.
Conclusions:
- Syk expression level does not dictate human lung mast cell releasability.
- Syk is implicated in mast cell degranulation, but other mechanisms likely control IgE-dependent activation.
- Understanding these mechanisms is vital for allergic asthma treatment.
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