IMPACT OF IL-33 ON PGD2 GENERATION BY ACTIVATED HUMAN CORD BLOOD-DERIVED MAST CELL: LACK OF EFFECT ON TRYPTASE RELEASE

Mast cells are important not only in allergic reactions, but also in inflammation and are involved in a variety of responses including the immediate release of potent inflammatory mediators after activation by cross-linking of Fc epsilon RI molecules. Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a major cyclooxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid produced by mast cells and it is released following allergen challenge in allergic diseases. IL-33 is an iflammatory cytokine which is critically involved in the regulation of in vitro and in vivo cyclooxygenase production, providing a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory disorders. In this study, using human derived umbelical cord blood mast cells, we show that IL-33 (50 ng/ml), and calcium ionophore A 23187 (0.5 mu g/ml), compound 48/80 (10(-5) M) or anti-IgE (10 mu g/ml), enhaced the production of PGD2 and this effect was inhibited by indomethacin. However, IL-33 was unable to induce tryptase release in these cells. These effects confirm the inflammatory property of IL-33 by stimulating PGD2 but not tryptase in human mast cells. The inhibitory effect of this new cytokine may have a potential therapeutic response in allergic and inflammatory diseases.