The long-term objective of this project is to understand the physiological regulation of mast cell (MC) development, survival and function and to define how perturbations of these regulatory pathways may contribute to the changes in MC numbers, phenotype, or secretory activity that have been observed in association with many different diseases. MC's are critical participants in both acute IgE-dependent reactions, such as anaphylaxis, as well as in the late phase reactions which contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. Moreover, MC numbers and/or phenotype can change dramatically during some immune responses, in association with many diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling, and in certain neoplastic disorders, suggesting that the size and/or functional characteristics of MC populations can be regulated by factors whose expression is altered during the course of these responses. Recent findings have indicated that interactions between the receptor for stem cell factor (SCFR), encoded by the c-kit gene, and its ligand, SCF, importantly regulate many aspects of MC development and function. For example, SCF can promote the survival, adherence, migration and maturation of cells in the MC lineage, can induce the proliferation of immature or mature MC's, can directly induce MC degranulation and mediator release, and can augment the extent of MC mediator release in cells activated through the high affinity receptor for IgE (FceRI). However, there are many significant gaps in our understanding of how SCF regulates MC development and function. For example, it is not known whether the ability of SCF to alter the intensity of an MC-dependent response in vivo primarily reflects actions on MC's themselves or on other SCFR+ lineages. Nor has it been determined to what extent SCF promotes MC survival by influencing Bcl-2- dependent or -independent pathways. Finally, while it is clear that stimulating MC's with SCF induces many cellular responses, including a change in the cells' phenotypic and functional characteristics, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effect are very incompletely understand. The applicant therefore proposes to test three hypotheses: 1) that SCF and other factors which regulate MC development can influence the expression of MC-dependent biological responses in at least three ways, by altering MC numbers, phenotype or function; 2) that SCF can suppress MC apoptosis by regulating the expression of Bcl-2 or related molecules and that MC apoptosis can result in a marked reduction in tissue MC numbers without the concomitant induction of a significant inflammatory response; and 3) that the distinct spectrum of biological responses which are induced in MC's stimulated via the FceRI or SCFR reflect, at least in part, the distinct patterns of gene expression which are induced in the activated cells.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37AI023990-10
Application #
2003387
Study Section
Pathology B Study Section (PTHB)
Project Start
1986-09-01
Project End
2000-11-30
Budget Start
1996-12-01
Budget End
1997-11-30
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
076593722
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
Galli, Stephen J; Starkl, Philipp; Marichal, Thomas et al. (2017) Mast Cells and IgE can Enhance Survival During Innate and Acquired Host Responses to Venoms. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc 128:193-221
Mukai, Kaori; Karasuyama, Hajime; Kabashima, Kenji et al. (2017) Differences in the Importance of Mast Cells, Basophils, IgE, and IgG versus That of CD4+ T Cells and ILC2 Cells in Primary and Secondary Immunity to Strongyloides venezuelensis. Infect Immun 85:
Reber, Laurent L; Gillis, Caitlin M; Starkl, Philipp et al. (2017) Neutrophil myeloperoxidase diminishes the toxic effects and mortality induced by lipopolysaccharide. J Exp Med 214:1249-1258
Reber, Laurent L; Sibilano, Riccardo; Starkl, Philipp et al. (2017) Imaging protective mast cells in living mice during severe contact hypersensitivity. JCI Insight 2:
Gaudenzio, Nicolas; Sibilano, Riccardo; Marichal, Thomas et al. (2016) Different activation signals induce distinct mast cell degranulation strategies. J Clin Invest 126:3981-3998
Galli, Stephen J (2016) The Mast Cell-IgE Paradox: From Homeostasis to Anaphylaxis. Am J Pathol 186:212-24
Mukai, Kaori; Tsai, Mindy; Starkl, Philipp et al. (2016) IgE and mast cells in host defense against parasites and venoms. Semin Immunopathol 38:581-603
Murakami, Jodi L; Xu, Baohui; Franco, Christopher B et al. (2016) Evidence that ?7 Integrin Regulates Hematopoietic Stem Cell Homing and Engraftment Through Interaction with MAdCAM-1. Stem Cells Dev 25:18-26
Starkl, Philipp; Marichal, Thomas; Gaudenzio, Nicolas et al. (2016) IgE antibodies, Fc?RI?, and IgE-mediated local anaphylaxis can limit snake venom toxicity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 137:246-257.e11
Marichal, Thomas; Gaudenzio, Nicolas; El Abbas, Sophie et al. (2016) Guanine nucleotide exchange factor RABGEF1 regulates keratinocyte-intrinsic signaling to maintain skin homeostasis. J Clin Invest 126:4497-4515

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