BLT2 is upregulated in allergen-stimulated mast cells and mediates the synthesis of Th2 cytokines

Kyung Jin Cho, Ji Min Seo, Min Goo Lee, Jae Hong Kim

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    37 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Mast cells are effector cells that mediate the allergic response through Ag stimulation of IgE bound to FcεRI. In allergic reactions, cross-linking of the surface receptors for IgE on mast cells results in the synthesis of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13, which are critical for the initiation and progression of the allergic response. Despite the important roles of these cytokines, the signaling mechanism by which Ag stimulation mediates the production of IL-4 and IL-13 in mast cells is not clearly understood. In the present study, we found that Ag-stimulated bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) highly upregulated the expression of BLT2, a leukotriene B4 receptor, and that blockade of BLT2 with the specific antagonist LY255283 or small interfering RNA knockdown completely abolished the production of Th2 cytokines. Furthermore, BMMCs overexpressing BLT2 showed significantly enhanced production of Th2 cytokines compared with wild-type BMMCs. Additionally, we found that the generation of Nox1-derived reactive oxygen species occurs downstream of BLT2, thus mediating the synthesis of Th2 cytokines. Taken together, our results suggest that the BLT2-Nox1-reactive oxygen species cascade is a previously unsuspected mediatory signaling mechanism to Th2 cytokine production in Ag-stimulated BMMCs, thus contributing to allergic response.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)6329-6337
    Number of pages9
    JournalJournal of Immunology
    Volume185
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010 Nov 15

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Immunology and Allergy
    • Immunology

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'BLT2 is upregulated in allergen-stimulated mast cells and mediates the synthesis of Th2 cytokines'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this