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Updated: May 9, 2026

Analyzing the Functions of Mast Cells In Vivo Using 'Mast Cell Knock-in' Mice
09:07

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Published on: May 27, 2015

Human skin mast cells express complement factors C3 and C5.

Yoshihiro Fukuoka1, Michelle R Hite, Anthony L Dellinger

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. yfukuoka@vcu.edu

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|July 9, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Human mast cells synthesize and secrete complement factor C3, but not C5. Cytokines like TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-13 synergistically enhance C3 production, suggesting mast cells modulate immunity and inflammation.

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Investigating Mast Cell Secretory Granules; from Biosynthesis to Exocytosis
16:01

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Published on: January 26, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Complement System

Background:

  • Mast cells are key immune cells involved in allergic reactions and inflammation.
  • The complement system is crucial for innate and adaptive immunity.
  • The role of mast cells in complement production and regulation is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if human skin-derived mast cells synthesize complement factors C3 and C5.
  • To determine if cytokine stimulation regulates the synthesis of C3 and C5 by mast cells.
  • To explore the potential of mast cells to engage the complement system in immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for mRNA analysis.
  • Flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, Western blotting, and ELISA for protein quantification.
  • Incubation of mast cells with various cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-17, IFN-γ, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-13, IL-4) and stimuli (anti-FcεRI, PMA).

Main Results:

  • Mast cells express mRNA for both C3 and C5.
  • Baseline C3 protein levels were detected, with accumulation in culture medium over time.
  • C5 protein levels remained undetectable.
  • TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-13 significantly enhanced C3 secretion.
  • Synergistic enhancement of C3 production was observed with TNF-α combined with IL-4 or IL-13, mediated by NF-κB, Jak, and Erk pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Human mast cells produce and secrete complement factor C3.
  • Mast cell-derived C3 can be processed by β-tryptase into C3a and C3b.
  • Mast cells likely engage the complement system to modulate in vivo immunity and inflammation.