Human mast cells release oncostatin M on contact with activated T cells: possible biologic relevance

BACKGROUND: We have recently demonstrated that mast cells can be activated by heterotypic adhesion to activated T cells. OBJECTIVE: We sought to perform gene expression profiling on human mast cells activated by either IgE cross-linking or by T cells and to characterize one of the cytokines, oncostatin M (OSM). METHODS: Gene expression profiling was done by means of microarray analysis, OSM expression was validated by means of RT-PCR, and the product was measured by means of ELISA in both the LAD 2 human mast cell line and in cord blood-derived human mast cells. Immunocytochemistry was used to localize OSM in human mast cells, and its biologic activity was verified by its effect on the proliferation of human lung fibroblasts. RESULTS: OSM was expressed and released specifically on T cell-induced mast cell activation but not on IgE cross-linking. OSM was localized to the cytoplasm, and its expression was inhibited by dexamethasone and mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors. OSM was also found to be biologically active in inducing lung fibroblast proliferation that was partially but significantly inhibited by anti-OSM mAb. In vivo mast cells were found to express OSM in both biopsy specimens and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with sarcoidosis. CONCLUSION: The production of OSM by human mast cells might represent one link between T cell-induced mast cell activation and the development of a spectrum of structural changes in T cell-mediated inflammatory processes in which mast cells have been found to be involved.