Interleukin-33 synergistically enhances immune complex-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-8 production in cultured human synovium-derived mast cells.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Substantial evidence suggests that human synovial mast cells (MCs) are involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interleukin (IL)-33 is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA. We recently reported that FcγRI is responsible for producing abundant tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) from cultured synovium-derived MCs (SyMCs) in response to aggregated immunoglobulin G (IgG). However, whether or not IL-33 affects immune complex (IC)-induced synovial MC activation remains unknown. This study sought to evaluate the effect of IL-33 on IC-induced synovial MC activation. METHODS: Cultured SyMCs were generated by culturing synovial cells with stem cell factor. ST2 expression was analyzed using FACS and immunohistochemical techniques. Mediators released from the MCs were measured using EIAs or ELISAs. RESULTS: SyMCs obtained from patients with RA or osteoarthritis (OA) expressed ST2 on their surfaces. We confirmed the expression of ST2 in MCs using immunofluorescence staining in joint tissue obtained from RA patients. IC-triggered histamine release was not enhanced by IL-33. However, IL-33 synergistically enhanced IC-induced IL-8 and TNF-α production in SyMCs. CONCLUSIONS: ICs and IL-33 may exacerbate inflammation associated with RA by abundantly producing TNF-α and IL-8 from SyMCs.