Presentation of Soluble Antigens by Mast Cells: Upregulation by Interleukin-4 and Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor and Downregulation by Interferon-γ

• Published in: Cellular immunology 1995-06, Vol.163 (1), p.37-46
• Main Authors: Frandji, Pierre, Tkaczyk, Christine, Oskéritzian, Carole, Lapeyre, Josette, Peronet, Roger, David, Bernard, Guillet, Jean-Gérard, Mécheri, Salaheddine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antigen Presentation - immunology; Bone Marrow Cells; Cell Line; Down-Regulation - immunology; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor - physiology; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - biosynthesis; Interferon-gamma - physiology; Interleukin-2 - analysis; Interleukin-3 - physiology; Interleukin-4 - physiology; Mast Cells - immunology; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Inbred DBA; Up-Regulation - immunology
• ISSN: 0008-8749; 1090-2163
• DOI: 10.1006/cimm.1995.1096

We recently showed that bone marrow-derived mast cells bore MHC class II molecules and could present antigens to specific T cell hybridomas. This article summarizes the effects of purified recombinant cytokines on the expression of MHC class II molecules by mast cells and on their antigen-presenting capacity. Since IL-3 is essential for mast cell growth, all the cytokines were analyzed in the presence of IL-3. IL-3 downregulated the production of Ia molecules, so that mast cells cultured in IL-3 alone had no antigen presenting ability. In contrast, IL-4 and IFN-7 upregulated the production of MHC class II molecules, while GM-CSF had no effect. The antigen-presenting capacity of IL-4-treated mast cells was substantially enhanced by incubating these cells with GM-CSF for 2 days. GM-CSF enhanced antigen presentation only in combination with IL-4. The activation of mast cells was reversible and could not be repeated. Finally, incubation of IL-4- or IL-4/GM-CSF-treated mast cells with IFN-γ led to almost complete inhibition of the antigen-presenting function. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of specific allergic responses.