Concurrent inhibition of kit- and FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling: coordinated suppression of mast cell activation

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2008 Jan;324(1):128-38. doi: 10.1124/jpet.107.125237. Epub 2007 Oct 9.

Abstract

Although primarily required for the growth, differentiation, and survival of mast cells, Kit ligand (stem cell factor) is also required for optimal antigen-mediated mast cell activation. Therefore, concurrent inhibition of Kit- and FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling would be an attractive approach for targeting mast cell-driven allergic reactions. To explore this concept, we examined the effects of hypothemycin, a molecule that we identified as having such properties, in human and mouse mast cells. Hypothemycin blocked Kit activation and Kit-mediated mast cell adhesion in a similar manner to the well characterized Kit inhibitor imatinib mesylate (imatinib). In contrast to imatinib, however, hypothemycin also effectively inhibited FcepsilonRI-mediated degranulation and cytokine production in addition to the potentiation of these responses via Kit. The effect of hypothemycin on Kit-mediated responses could be explained by its inhibition of Kit kinase activity, whereas the inhibitory effects on FcepsilonRI-dependent signaling were at the level of Btk activation. Because hypothemycin also significantly reduced the mouse passive cutaneous anaphylaxis response in vivo, these data provide proof of principle for a coordinated approach for the suppression of mast cell activation and provide a rationale for the development of compounds with a similar therapeutic profile.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Anaphylaxis / chemically induced
  • Anaphylaxis / immunology
  • Anaphylaxis / prevention & control
  • Animals
  • Benzamides
  • Calcium / immunology
  • Cell Degranulation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Mast Cells / drug effects*
  • Mast Cells / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Receptors, IgE / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, IgE / immunology*
  • Stem Cell Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Stem Cell Factor / immunology*
  • Zearalenone / analogs & derivatives
  • Zearalenone / pharmacology

Substances

  • Benzamides
  • Cytokines
  • Piperazines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Receptors, IgE
  • Stem Cell Factor
  • hypothemycin
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Zearalenone
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Calcium