Src-type tyrosine kinase p56lck is critical for thymic stromal lymphopoietin-induced allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a regulator of mast cell-mediated allergic inflammatory reactions, but the manner in which TSLP contributes to allergic rhinitis (AR) remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: Here, we sought to determine that TSLP plays a crucial role in AR by interacting with Src-type tyrosine kinase p56lck and STAT6 and promoting mast cells degranulation. METHODS: The effects of TSLP on mast cell degranulation and AR were analysed in human mast cell line (HMC-1 cells), ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR animal model, and human subjects. Small interfering RNA experiments were performed in HMC-1 cells and OVA-induced AR model. Immune responses were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and histological studies. RESULTS: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin levels and mast cell-derived p56lck activation were elevated in human subjects with AR, and in AR mice, exogenous TSLP accelerated TH2-allergic inflammatory reactions by up-regulating p56lck and STAT6. On the other hand, depletion of TSLP, p56lck, and STAT6 ameliorated clinical symptoms in AR mice. The selective inhibitor of p56lck, damnacanthal, inhibits AR reactions. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these observations suggest a role for TSLP/p56lck/STAT6 in AR and offer insight into potential therapeutic strategies.

Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 regulates human histidine decarboxylase expression.

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) catalyzes the formation of histamine from histidine. Histamine has various effects in physiological and pathological reactions, such as inflammation, cell growth, and neuro-transmission. We investigated the role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 on hypoxia-induced HDC expression in human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). Hypoxia significantly increased histamine production. HDC expression and activity were induced by hypoxia. Additionally, when cells were transfected with a native form of HIF-1alpha, hypoxia could induce higher HDC expression than in the nontransfected cell. HIF-1 binding activity for HDC 5' flanking region (HFR) was similar to that for the hypoxia-responsive element. Using HDC promoter deletion analysis, we also demonstrated that HFR was regulated by HIF-1 activation. In addition, depletion of HIF-1alpha prevents hypoxic induction of HDC in BMMCs. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that hypoxia induces HDC expression by transcriptional mechanisms dependent upon HIF-1.

Alginic acid has anti-anaphylactic effects and inhibits inflammatory cytokine expression via suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB activation.

BACKGROUND: Alginic acid is comprised of complex polymerized polysaccharides, and can be chemically extracted from seaweed. Alginic acid has an inhibitory effect on histamine release, but its molecular mechanisms are not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of alginic acid on the mast cell-mediated anaphylactic and inflammatory reaction using in vivo and in vitro models and elucidate its molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The effect of alginic acid on an allergy model was analysed by anaphylaxis, a histidine decarboxylase (HDC) assay, and a histamine assay. Cytokine production was analysed by means of ELISA. Cytokine expression was analysed by means of RT-PCR, and Western blotting. Transcription factor activity was analysed by a luciferase assay and a transcription factor-enzyme linked immunoassay. RESULTS: Alginic acid dose dependently inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis with doses of 0.25-1 g/kg 1 h (P<0.01, n=6) and significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis by 54.8%. Alginic acid (0.01-1 microg/mL) inhibited histamine release from serum and peritoneal mast cells (P<0.01). All these effects were stronger than those of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), the reference drug tested. Alginic acid also inhibited HDC expression and activity on the phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)+A23187-stimulated human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells. Moreover, alginic acid significantly inhibited the production of PMA+A23187-induced inflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, but not that of IL-6 or IL-8. In activated HMC-1 cells, the expression level of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB/Rel A protein increased in the nucleus, whereas the level of NF-kappaB/Rel A in the nucleus was decreased by alginic acid treatment. In addition, alginic acid (0.01 microg/mL) decreased the PMA+A23187-induced luciferase activity and DNA-binding activity. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that alginic acid has potent anti-anaphylactic and anti-inflammatory properties.

The stem of sinomenium acutum inhibits mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from rat peritoneal mast cells.

The aqueous extract of Sinomenium acutum stem (SSAE) (0.1-1000 mg/kg) dose-dependently inhibited systemic anaphylactic reaction induced by compound 48/80 in mice. In particular, SSAE reduced compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic reaction with 50% at the dose of 1000 mg/kg. SSAE (100-1000 mg/kg) also significantly inhibited local anaphylactic reaction activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE. When mice were pretreated with SSAE at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 1000 mg/kg, the plasma histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. SSAE (1-1000 microg/ml) dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE. In addition, SSAE (0.1 microg/ml) had a significant inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. These results indicate that SSAE inhibits mast cell-mediated anaphylactic reactions and TNF-alpha production from mast cells.