Divergent effects of acute and prolonged interleukin 33 exposure on mast cell IgE-mediated functions

Abstract Background Epithelial cytokines, including IL-33 and TSLP, have attracted interest because of their roles in chronic allergic inflammation-related conditions such as asthma. Mast cells are one of the major targets of IL-33, to which they respond by secreting cytokines. Most studies performed thus far have investigated the acute effects of IL-33 on mast cells. Objective The objective of this study is to investigate how acute versus prolonged exposure of human mast cells to IL-33 and TSLP affects mediator synthesis and IgE-mediated activation. Methods Human lung mast cells (HLMCs), cord blood-derived mast cells (CBMCs), and the ROSA mast cell line were used for this study. Surface receptor expression and the levels of mediators were measured after treatment with IL-33 and/or TSLP. Results IL-33 induced the acute release of cytokines. Prolonged exposure to IL-33 increased while TSLP reduced intracellular levels of tryptase. Acute IL-33 treatment strongly potentiated IgE-mediated activation. In contrast, four days of exposure to IL-33 decreased IgE-mediated activation, an effect that was accompanied by a reduction in FcεRI expression. Conclusion & Clinical Relevance We show that IL-33 plays dual roles for mast cell functions. The acute effect includes cytokine release and the potentiation of IgE-mediated degranulation, whereas prolonged exposure to IL-33 reduces IgE-mediated activation. We conclude that mast cells act quickly in response to the alarmin IL-33 to initiate an acute inflammatory response, whereas extended exposure to IL-33 during prolonged inflammation reduces IgE-mediated responses. This negative feedback effect suggests the presence of a novel IL-33 mediated regulatory pathway that modulates IgE-induced human mast cell responses.