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Leukemia inhibitory factor production by rat mast cells
J S Marshall1, J Gauldie, L Nielsen
1Molecular Virology and Immunology Programme, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Mast cells produce Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a cytokine crucial for immune responses, neuronal development, and bone metabolism. This production can be enhanced, suggesting a significant role for mast cells in various physiological processes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Cytokine Signaling
Background:
- Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine involved in immune regulation, inflammation, neuronal development, and bone metabolism.
- Mast cells are immune cells known for their role in allergic reactions and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the production of LIF at both mRNA and bioactivity levels in rat mast cells and mast cell lines.
- To determine if mast cell activation influences LIF production.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hepatocyte-stimulating factor activity assay to measure LIF bioactivity.
- Employed neutralizing antibodies specific for LIF to confirm its presence.
- Analyzed mRNA expression of LIF in mast cells.
- Treated mast cells with calcium ionophore A23187 to assess activation effects.
Main Results:
- Two rat mast cell lines (RBL.2H3 and RCMC9) demonstrated endogenous production of LIF bioactivity.
- LIF production by mast cell lines was enhanced upon treatment with calcium ionophore A23187.
- Freshly isolated rat peritoneal mast cells expressed LIF mRNA.
- No interleukin-6 production was detected in mast cells under the tested conditions.
Conclusions:
- Rat mast cells, including primary cells and cell lines, produce Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF).
- LIF production by mast cells can be modulated by activation stimuli.
- These findings highlight a potential role for mast cells in processes regulated by LIF, such as neuronal development, hematopoiesis, bone metabolism, and acute-phase responses.
Abstract:
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pluripotent cytokine of importance in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. This cytokine may play an important role in neuronal development and bone metabolism. We have examined the ability of freshly isolated rat mast cells and mast cell lines to produce LIF at both the mRNA and bioactivity levels. Initial experiments demonstrated that two mucosal mast cell-like cell lines RBL.2H3 and RCMC9 endogenously produced low levels of LIF bioactivity. The production of this cytokine was examined using a hepatocyte-stimulating factor activity assay and confirmed by the use of neutralizing antibodies specific for LIF. This production was enhanced by treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187. No interleukin-6 production was observed by these cells either endogenously or following ionophore activation. Freshly isolated highly purified rat peritoneal mast cells also expressed mRNA for LIF. These results could have important implications for the role of mast cells in neuronal development, hematopoiesis bone metabolism and the acute-phase response.
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