Unique effects of KIT D816V in BaF3 cells: induction of cluster formation, histamine synthesis, and early mast cell differentiation antigens.

Oncogenic tyrosine kinases (TK) usually convert growth factor-dependent cells to factor independence with autonomous proliferation. However, TK-driven neoplasms often are indolent and characterized by cell differentiation rather than proliferation. A prototype of an indolent TK-driven neoplasm is indolent systemic mastocytosis. We found that the D816V-mutated variant of KIT, a TK detectable in most patients with systemic mastocytosis, induces cluster formation and expression of several mast cell differentiation and adhesion Ags, including microphthalmia transcription factor, IL-4 receptor, histamine, CD63, and ICAM-1 in IL-3-dependent BaF3 cells. By contrast, wild-type KIT did not induce cluster formation or mast cell differentiation Ags. Additionally, KIT D816V, but not wild-type KIT, induced STAT5 activation in BaF3 cells. However, despite these intriguing effects, KIT D816V did not convert BaF3 cells to factor-independent proliferation. Correspondingly, BaF3 cells with conditional expression of KIT D816V did not form tumors in nude mice. Together, the biologic effects of KIT D816V in BaF3 cells match strikingly with the clinical course of indolent systemic mastocytosis and with our recently established transgenic mouse model, in which KIT D816V induces indolent mast cell accumulations but usually does not induce a malignant mast cell disease. Based on all these results, it is hypothesized that KIT D816V as a single hit may be sufficient to cause indolent systemic mastocytosis, whereas additional defects may be required to induce aggressive mast cell disorders.

Regulation of stem cell factor receptor signaling by Cbl family proteins (Cbl-b/c-Cbl).

Activation of the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase contributes to the pathogenesis of several human diseases, but the mechanisms regulating KIT signaling have not been fully characterized. Here, we show that stem cell factor (SCF), the ligand for KIT, induces the interaction between KIT and Cbl proteins and their mutual degradation. Upon SCF stimulation, KIT binds to and induces the phosphorylation of Cbl proteins, which in turn act as E3 ligases, mediating the ubiquitination and degradation of KIT and themselves. Tyrosine kinase binding and RING finger domains of Cbl are essential for Cbl-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of KIT. We propose a negative feedback loop controlling the SCF-KIT signaling pathway, in which SCF activates KIT. The activated KIT in turn induces phosphorylation and activation of Cbl proteins. The Cbl proteins then bind and direct the degradation of activated KIT, leading to down-regulation of KIT signaling.