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Mast cells reside in connective tissues and are widely recognized as effector cells important in innate and acquired immunity. These cells are the only ones capable of storing preformed TNFα in their cytoplasmatic granules and release upon activation. TNF-alpha is a potent multifunctional cytokine involved in autoimmune diseases, cancer, allergy, and acute and chronic inflammation. In this study, we revisit the interrelationship between TNFα and mast cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Allergy is the result of a complex immune cascade leading to the disregulated production of Th2 cytokines, the generation of allergen-specific IgE-producing B cells and the subsequent activation and degranulation of mast cells upon allergen challenge. Mast cell effector function significantly influences the quantity, duration and magnitude of most allergic reactions. Here, using isolated human umbilical cord blood mast cells (HUCBMC) from CD34+ cells, activated with anti-IgE (10μg/ml) in culture, we found an augmented release of IL-6, tryptase and histamine (p <0.01 compared with control). In addition, in these cells anti-IgE (10μg/ml) activated the expression of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and IL-6. In these studies we describe a new biological activity of anti-IgE in inducing histidine decarboxylase and IL-6, suggesting that this cytokine may have an important effect on allergic and inflammatory diseases mediated by mast cells. Moreover, with these data we confirm the immunoregulatory and inflammarory function of mast cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]