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The c-kit ligand, stem cell factor, promotes mast cell survival by suppressing apoptosis

A Iemura1, M Tsai, A Ando

  • 1Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215.

The American Journal of Pathology
|February 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Stem cell factor (SCF) regulates mast cell survival by preventing apoptosis. Withdrawal of SCF triggers rapid programmed cell death in mast cells, impacting tissue populations.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor (SCFR), encoded by the c-kit gene, are crucial for hematopoiesis, mast cell development, pigmentation, and gametogenesis.
  • SCF belongs to the receptor tyrosine kinase III family.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of SCF in mast cell survival.
  • To determine if mast cell death upon SCF withdrawal involves apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo and in vitro experiments involving mouse mast cells.
  • Morphological analysis of mast cells after SCF withdrawal.
  • DNA fragmentation analysis (DNA laddering) to detect apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Mouse mast cells undergo rapid death upon SCF withdrawal, both in vivo and in vitro.
  • Morphological and DNA fragmentation evidence indicates programmed cell death (apoptosis).
  • Apoptotic DNA fragmentation was observed within 5-6 hours of SCF removal in vitro.

Conclusions:

  • SCF suppresses apoptosis, thereby regulating the survival of mast cells expressing SCFR.
  • This mechanism explains rapid mast cell population reductions without significant inflammation.

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