Role of activator protein 1, nuclear factor-κB, and nuclear factor of activated T cells in IgE receptor-mediated cytokine expression in mature human mast cells

Abstract

Background: On activation by cross-linking the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI), expression of TNF-α, IL-3, IL-5, and IL-13 is induced in human intestinal mast cells. Objective: We sought to examine, for the first time, FcεRI signaling in mature human mast cells. Methods: Mast cells were isolated from intestinal tissue and cultured in the presence of stem cell factor. The cells were treated with specific inhibitors before stimulation by means of FcεRI cross-linking. Cytokine mRNA expression was analyzed by means of RT-PCR, and activation of signaling molecules was determined by means of immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR, Western blotting, and protein kinase C (PKC) assay. Results: We found that ..