Alternative activation of mast cells by CD4+ T helper cells

• Published in: Journal of leukocyte biology 2024-11, Vol.116 (5), p.1127-1141
• Main Authors: Leveque, Edouard, Battut, Louise, Petitfils, Camille, Valitutti, Salvatore, Cenac, Nicolas, Dietrich, Gilles, Espinosa, Eric
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antigen-Presenting Cells - immunology; Cell Communication - immunology; Cell Degranulation; Cytokines - metabolism; Environmental Sciences; Humans; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Mast Cells - immunology; Mast Cells - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer - immunology; Transcriptome
• ISSN: 1938-3673; 0741-5400; 1938-3673
• DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae139

Effector CD4+ T (Teff) lymphocytes infiltrate sites of inflammation and orchestrate the immune response by instructing local leukocytes. Mast cells (MCs) are tissue sentinel cells strategically located near blood vessels and T cell-rich areas. MC/Teff cell interactions shape Teff cell responses, but in turn, Teff cell action on MCs is still poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the human MC/Teff cell interplay through both the application of RNA sequencing and functional assays. We showed that activated Teff cells induce a specific transcriptomic program in MCs including production of both inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, prostaglandin, and a FcεRI-dependent degranulation facilitation, thereby driving them toward an inflammatory phenotype. Moreover, Teff cells induce in MCs the capacity to interact with CD4+ T cells through a wide range of dedicated soluble and membrane ligands and to play the role of antigen-presenting cells.