Induction of mast cell proliferation, maturation, and heparin synthesis by the rat c-kit ligand, stem cell factor.

We investigated the effects of a newly recognized multifunctional growth factor, the c-kit ligand stem cell factor (SCF), on mouse mast cell proliferation and phenotype. Recombinant rat SCF164 (rrSCF164) induced the development of large numbers of dermal mast cells in normal mice in vivo. Many of these mast cells had features of "connective tissue-type mast cells" (CTMC), in that they were reactive both with the heparin-binding fluorescent dye berberine sulfate and with safranin. In vitro, rrSCF164 induced the proliferation of cloned interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent mouse mast cells and primary populations of IL-3-dependent, bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMC), which represent immature mast cells, and purified peritoneal mast cells, which represent a type of mature CTMC. BMCMC maintained in rrSCF164 not only proliferated but also matured. Prior to exposure to rrSCF164, the BMCMC were alcian blue positive, safranin negative, and berberine sulfate negative; had a histamine content of 0.08 +/- 0.02 pg per cell; and incorporated [35S]sulfate into chondroitin sulfates. After 4 wk in rrSCF164, the BMCMC were predominantly safranin positive and berberine sulfate positive, had a histamine content of 2.23 +/- 0.39 pg per cell, and synthesized 35S-labeled proteoglycans that included substantial amounts (41-70%) of [35S]heparin. These findings identify SCF as a single cytokine that can induce immature, IL-3-dependent mast cells to mature and to acquire multiple characteristics of CTMC. These findings also directly demonstrate that SCF can regulate the development of a cellular lineage expressing c-kit through effects on both proliferation and maturation.