TSLP induces mast cell development and aggravates allergic reactions through the activation of MDM2 and STAT6

J Invest Dermatol. 2014 Oct;134(10):2521-2530. doi: 10.1038/jid.2014.198. Epub 2014 Apr 21.

Abstract

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is known to promote T helper type 2 cell-associated inflammation. Mast cells are major effector cells in allergic inflammatory responses. We noted that the population and maturation of mast cells were reduced in TSLP-deficient mice (TSLP-/-). Thus, we hypothesized that TSLP might affect mast cell development. We found that TSLP induced the proliferation and differentiation of mast cells from bone marrow progenitors. TSLP-induced mast cell proliferation was abolished by depletion of mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) and signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 (STAT6), as an upstream activator of MDM2. TSLP-/-, in particular, had a considerable deficit in the expression of MDM2 and STAT6. Also, the TSLP deficiency attenuated mast cell-mediated allergic reactions through the downregulation of STAT6 and MDM2. In an antibody microarray chip analysis, MDM2 expression was increased in atopic dermatitis patients. These observations indicate that TSLP is a factor for mast cell development, and that it aggravates mast cell-mediated immune responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Cytokines / deficiency
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / physiology*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / physiopathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation / physiology
  • Female
  • Hypersensitivity / physiopathology
  • Mast Cells / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 / physiology*
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / deficiency
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Stat6 protein, mouse
  • Mdm2 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
  • TSLP protein, mouse