Recombinant human (rh)IL-4-mediated apoptosis and recombinant human IL-6-mediated protection of recombinant human stem cell factor-dependent human mast cells derived from cord blood mononuclear cell progenitors.

Although stem cell factor (SCF) appears to be the major growth factor for human mast cells, other factors undoubtedly play important roles in the development, survival, and function of these cells. The current study examined the effects of recombinant human (rh) IL-4 and rhIL-6 on rhSCF-dependent development and survival of human mast cells derived in vitro from cord blood progenitor cells. After 4-8 wk of culture with rhSCF and various amounts of rhIL-4, a dramatic decline in mast cell numbers was observed with rhIL-4, the EC50 being about 0.1 ng/ml. Numbers of other cell types remained high. Mast cells derived from cord blood progenitors after 7 wk of culture with rhSCF alone displayed an MCT phenotype and expressed Kit, FcepsilonRI, and IL-4R on their surface. Mast cells examined after purification by immunomagnetic sorting became apoptotic within hours after exposure to rhIL-4, a phenomenon blocked by anti-IL-4 Ab. Because rhIL-4-dependent apoptosis but not the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was prevented by the pan-caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-(Z-VAD)-fluoromethylketone, mitochondrial perturbation most likely preceded caspase activation. Consistent with this conclusion was the observation that both apoptosis and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim) were inhibited by cyclosporin A in combination with aristolochic acid. rhIL-6 protected cord blood mast cells from rhIL-4-induced apoptosis. Thus, IL-4 can cause both maturation and apoptosis of human mast cells, the latter effect being abrogated by IL-6.