Mast cells are an important cellular source of tumour necrosis factor α in human intestinal tissue (original) (raw)
Inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease
Mast cells are an important cellular source of tumour necrosis factor α in human intestinal tissue
- S C Bischoffa,
- A Lorentza,
- S Schwengberga,
- G Weiera,
- R Raabb,
- M P Mannsa
- aDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical School of Hannover, D-30623 Hannover, Germany, bDepartment of Abdominal and Transplant Surgery, Medical School of Hannover, D-30623 Hannover, Germany
- Dr Bischoff.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several inflammatory disorders of the intestine are characterised by enhanced expression of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Monocytes and macrophages have been suggested as a major cellular source of TNF-α in human gut, whereas mast cells, although known to be capable of producing TNF-α, have been poorly examined in this respect.
AIMS To investigate whether human intestinal mast cells can produce TNF-α, and which factors regulate TNF-α production in these cells.
METHODS Mast cells were isolated from surgery tissue specimens of patients undergoing bowel resection because of cancer. Immunohistochemical studies were performed in biopsy specimens derived from 13 patients (two healthy controls, four with Crohn’s disease, four with ulcerative colitis, three others). TNF-α mRNA and protein expression were studied in vitro by polymerase chain reaction, RNAse protection assay, western blot, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in isolated purified human intestinal mast cells stimulated by IgE receptor crosslinking, intestinal bacteria, and lipopolysaccharide. Cellular localisation of TNF-α was examined by immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS TNF-α mRNA and protein were expressed constitutively in isolated human intestinal mast cells. Expression of TNF-α mRNA and release of TNF-α protein were substantially enhanced by IgE receptor crosslinking and by coculture of mast cells with intestinal bacteria; lipopolysaccharide had only marginal effects. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that approximately 60% of the lamina propria cells with immunoreactivity for TNF-α were mast cells.
CONCLUSIONS The data show that mast cells are an important source of TNF-α in the human intestinal mucosa.
tumour necrosis factor
mast cells
inflammatory bowel disease
bacteria
Abbreviations
IBD
inflammatory bowel disease
LPS
lipopolysaccharide
MC
mast cell
SCF
stem cell factor
sLT
sulphidoleukotriene
TNF-α
tumour necrosis factor α
Statistics from Altmetric.com
Request Permissions
If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.