Project description:Mast cells originate from the bone marrow and develop into c-kit+ FcεRI+ cells. As both mast cell progenitors and mature mast cells express these cell surface markers, ways validated to distinguish between the two maturation forms with flow cytometry have been lacking. We identified and sorted two distinct populations of mast cells from mouse peritoneum. Gene expression microarray analyses were used to confirm the maturation statuses of the mast cell populations.
Project description:We identified a new type of bone marrow progenitors termed early innate lymphoid cell progenitor (EILP) using TCF-1 GFP reporter mice. We compared the transcriptomes of early innate lymphoid cell progenitors (EILP) with other early progenitors, including HSC, LMPP, CMP, CLP, ETP and DN3.
Project description:CD34+ CD117+ cells in human peripheral blood have mast cell-forming capacity. We have identified highly committed mast cell progenitors as Lin- CD34+ CD117 intermediate/high FcεRI+ cells. To explore the gene expression profile of the highly committed mast cell progenitors, we performed whole-transcriptome microarray analyses of the cells and compared them with mature basophils.
Project description:Stem cell factor (SCF), also known as Kit ligand, is a pleiotropic cytokine that Q5 signals through the c-Kit receptor to regulate cellular development, survival, and proliferation. Although SCF is classically recognized for its essential role in hematopoiesis and mast cell biology, c-Kit is also expressed by innate lymphoid cell progenitors (ILCp) and subsets of mature innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), suggesting broader immunoregulatory functions. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are critical mediators of type 2 airway inflammation and serve as an important source of type 2 cytokines during allergic responses. We previously demonstrated increased expression of the pro-inflammatory SCF248 isoform in the lungs of mice with chronic allergic inflammation, while elevated soluble SCF levels have also been reported in patients with asthma. In the present study, we further observed that SCF248 is upregulated in the bone marrow during allergic inflammation, suggesting that SCF248 may contribute to both local and systemic regulation of allergic immune responses. To define the role of SCF/c-Kit signaling in ILC2 biology, we first performed transcriptional profiling of SCF-deficient ILC2s, which revealed reduced expression of genes associated with cytokine signaling, activation, and effector function, including Il4, Stat5b, and PI3K-AKT pathway components, consistent with impaired inflammatory responsiveness. Mechanistically, pro-inflammatory and type 2 cytokines induced SCF248 expression in mesenchymal cells in vitro. To define its functional impact, ILC progenitors were cultured on OP9-DL1 stromal cells with upregulated SCF248 expression, which increased expression of ILC2-associated markers and the maturation program, supporting a role for SCF248 in enhancing ILC2 maturation and activation. In vivo validation using tamoxifen-inducible whole-body SCF-deficient mice (SCFfl/fl; UBC-CreERT2) in an Alternaria alternata model of allergic airway inflammation demonstrated that SCF deficiency reduced SCF248 expression, attenuated type 2 cytokine production, diminished lung inflammation, and decreased circulating and pulmonary ILC2 populations. Similarly, SCF248 blockade reduced allergic inflammation and altered bone marrow ILC compartments. Together, these findings identify SCF248 as a regulator of ILC2 maturation and activation, amplifying mucosal type 2 inflammation during allergic airway disease.
Project description:Lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells are regarded as a subset of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). However, these cells are not derived from the ILC common progenitor, which generates other ILC subsets and is defined by the expression of the transcription factor PLZF. Here we examined transcription factor(s) determining the fate of LTi progenitor versus non-LTi ILC progenitor. Conditional deletion of Gata3 resulted in the loss of PLZF+ non-LTi progenitors but not the LTi progenitors that expressed the transcription factor RORγt. Consistently, PLZF+ non-LTi progenitors expressed high amounts of GATA3 whereas GATA3 expression was low in RORγt+ LTi progenitors. The generation of both progenitors required the transcriptional regulator Id2, which defines the common helper-like innate lymphoid progenitor, but not cytokine signaling. Nevertheless, low GATA3 expression was necessary for the generation of functionally mature LTi cells. Thus, differential expression of GATA3 determines the fates and functions of distinct ILC progenitors.