Substance P downregulates expression of the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) by human mast cells

McCary, Christine; Tancowny, Brian P.; Catalli, Adriana; Grammer, Leslie C.; Harris, Kathleen E.; Schleimer, Robert P.; Kulka, Marianna

doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.12.006

« Previous Next »Journal of Neuroimmunology
Volume 220, Issue 1 , Pages 17-24, 30 March 2010

Substance P downregulates expression of the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) by human mast cells

Christine McCary
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Allergy-Immunology Division, 240 E Huron McGaw #M-327, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Brian P. Tancowny
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Allergy-Immunology Division, 240 E Huron McGaw #M-327, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Adriana Catalli
- Institute for Nutrisciences and Health, National Research Council, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, Canada C1A 4P3
Leslie C. Grammer
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Allergy-Immunology Division, 240 E Huron McGaw #M-327, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Kathleen E. Harris
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Allergy-Immunology Division, 240 E Huron McGaw #M-327, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Robert P. Schleimer
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Allergy-Immunology Division, 240 E Huron McGaw #M-327, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Marianna Kulka
- Institute for Nutrisciences and Health, National Research Council, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, Canada C1A 4P3
- Corresponding author. National Research Council Canada, 550 University Avenue, Room 432, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3. Tel.: +1 902 367 7550; fax: +1 902 566 7468.

Received 29 July 2009; received in revised form 7 December 2009; accepted 7 December 2009. published online 01 February 2010.

Abstract

The effect of the neuropeptide substance P (SP) on human mast cell (MC) phenotype is poorly understood. In this study, SP effects on human MC expression of the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) were characterized. SP downregulated expression of FcεRI mRNA and protein by approximately 50% and in a concentration dependent manner, the effect was partially mediated by engagement of the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) and resulted in reduced mast cell activation. Sensitization of MC with IgE prior to SP exposure protected MC from SP-mediated FcεRI downregulation. SP release may inhibit MC responses to allergens and these results may have implications in neuroinflammatiion and stress.

Keywords: Stress, Mast cells, IgE, Substance P, Fcε receptor