Oncogenic D816V-KIT signaling in mast cells causes persistent IL-6 production

Cognitive Impairment and Depression in Mastocytosis: A Synthesis of the Literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Symptoms of depression and cognitive dysfunction are commonly reported in mastocytosis. The aims of this review paper are to summarize the current literature on cognitive dysfunction and depressive symptoms, elucidate some of the mechanistic pathways underlying depressive symptoms in mastocytosis, identify gaps in the literature, and offer guidance for future research in this area.

RECENT FINDINGS

The study of cognition and depression in mastocytosis is in its infancy and the methodological flaws of the current literature limit interpretability. There is preliminary evidence that some individuals with mastocytosis might experience mild deficits in memory. On average, depression symptom scores fell within the mild to moderate or sub-syndromal range. Regrettably, only one study utilized a standardized diagnostic instrument to assess major depressive disorder. The authors' tendency to inaccurately equate depressive symptoms with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder presents a notable issue. The prevalence of cognitive deficits and depression appears to be similar to other chronic illnesses. Future work needs to better characterize cognition and characterize "depression" in this population.

Diffuse Cutaneous Mastocytosis: A Current Understanding of a Rare Disease

Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous disease characterized by the expansion and accumulation of neoplastic mast cells in various tissues. Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis (DCM) is a rare and most severe form of cutaneous mastocytosis, which typically occurs in childhood. There have been reports of a familial DCM with specific gene mutations, indicating both sporadic and hereditary factors involved in its pathogenesis. DCM is associated with severe MC mediator-related symptoms and an increased risk of anaphylaxis. The diagnosis is based on the appearance of skin lesions, which typically show generalized thickening, erythroderma, blistering dermographism, and a positive Darier's sign. Recognition, particularly in infants, is challenging due to DCMs resemblance to other bullous skin disorders. Therefore, in unclear cases, a skin biopsy is crucial. Treatment focuses on symptom management, mainly including antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers. In extremely severe cases, systemic steroids, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, phototherapy, or omalizumab may be considered. Patients should be equipped with an adrenaline autoinjector. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive review of literature data on DCM since 1962, which could help to better understand both the management and prognosis of DCM, which depends on the severity of skin lesions, intensity of mediator-related symptoms, presence of anaphylaxis, and treatment response.

Potential Role of Moesin in Regulating Mast Cell Secretion

Mast cells have existed for millions of years in species that never suffer from allergic reactions. Hence, in addition to allergies, mast cells can play a critical role in homeostasis and inflammation via secretion of numerous vasoactive, pro-inflammatory and neuro-sensitizing mediators. Secretion may utilize different modes that involve the cytoskeleton, but our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating secretion is still not well understood. The Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM) family of proteins is involved in linking cell surface-initiated signaling to the actin cytoskeleton. However, how ERMs may regulate secretion from mast cells is still poorly understood. ERMs contain two functional domains connected through a long α-helix region, the N-terminal FERM (band 4.1 protein-ERM) domain and the C-terminal ERM association domain (C-ERMAD). The FERM domain and the C-ERMAD can bind to each other in a head-to-tail manner, leading to a closed/inactive conformation. Typically, phosphorylation on the C-terminus Thr has been associated with the activation of ERMs, including secretion from macrophages and platelets. It has previously been shown that the ability of the so-called mast cell "stabilizer" disodium cromoglycate (cromolyn) to inhibit secretion from rat mast cells closely paralleled the phosphorylation of a 78 kDa protein, which was subsequently shown to be moesin, a member of ERMs. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of moesin during the inhibition of mast cell secretion was on the N-terminal Ser56/74 and Thr66 residues. This phosphorylation pattern could lock moesin in its inactive state and render it inaccessible to binding to the Soluble NSF attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and synaptosomal-associated proteins (SNAPs) critical for exocytosis. Using confocal microscopic imaging, we showed moesin was found to colocalize with actin and cluster around secretory granules during inhibition of secretion. In conclusion, the phosphorylation pattern and localization of moesin may be important in the regulation of mast cell secretion and could be targeted for the development of effective inhibitors of secretion of allergic and inflammatory mediators from mast cells.

Establishing a novel and sensitive assay for bioactivity determination of anti-CD25 antibodies

Anti-CD25 antibodies have been approved for renal transplantation and has been used prior to and during transplantation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, no reported bioassays have been reflected the mechanism of action (MOA) of anti-CD25 antibodies. Here, we describe the development and validation of a reporter gene assay (RGA) based on the engineered C8166-STAT5RE-Luc cells expressing endogenous IL-2 receptors and a STAT5-inducible element-driven firefly luciferase in C8166 cell lines. The RGA was fully validated according to the International Conference on the Harmonization of Technical Requirements for the Registration of Pharmaceuticals for the Human Use-Q2 (ICH-Q2). After optimization, the assay showed excellent specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness. Due to the MOA relatedness and the excellent assay performance, the RGA is suitable for exploring the critical quality attributes (CQAs), release inspection, comparability and stability of anti-CD25 mAbs.

The Role of Mast Cells in the Induction and Maintenance of Inflammation in Selected Skin Diseases

Under physiological conditions, skin mast cells play an important role as guardians that quickly react to stimuli that disturb homeostasis. These cells efficiently support, fight infection, and heal the injured tissue. The substances secreted by mast cells allow for communication inside the body, including the immune, nervous, and blood systems. Pathologically non-cancerous mast cells participate in allergic processes but also may promote the development of autoinflammatory or neoplastic disease. In this article, we review the current literature regarding the role of mast cells in autoinflammatory, allergic, neoplastic skin disease, as well as the importance of these cells in systemic diseases with a pronounced course with skin symptoms.

KIT D816V Mast Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Recapitulate Systemic Mastocytosis Transcriptional Profile

Mast cells (MCs) represent a population of hematopoietic cells with a key role in innate and adaptive immunity and are well known for their detrimental role in allergic responses. Yet, MCs occur in low abundance, which hampers their detailed molecular analysis. Here, we capitalized on the potential of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to give rise to all cells in the body and established a novel and robust protocol for human iPS cell differentiation toward MCs. Relying on a panel of systemic mastocytosis (SM) patient-specific iPS cell lines carrying the KIT D816V mutation, we generated functional MCs that recapitulate SM disease features: increased number of MCs, abnormal maturation kinetics and activated phenotype, CD25 and CD30 surface expression and a transcriptional signature characterized by upregulated expression of innate and inflammatory response genes. Therefore, human iPS cell-derived MCs are a reliable, inexhaustible, and close-to-human tool for disease modeling and pharmacological screening to explore novel MC therapeutics.

CRISPR/Cas9-engineering of HMC-1.2 cells renders a human mast cell line with a single D816V-KIT mutation: An improved preclinical model for research on mastocytosis

The HMC-1.2 human mast cell (huMC) line is often employed in the study of attributes of neoplastic huMCs as found in patients with mastocytosis and their sensitivity to interventional drugs in vitro and in vivo. HMC-1.2 cells express constitutively active KIT, an essential growth factor receptor for huMC survival and function, due to the presence of two oncogenic mutations (D816V and V560G). However, systemic mastocytosis is commonly associated with a single D816V-KIT mutation. The functional consequences of the coexisting KIT mutations in HMC-1.2 cells are unknown. We used CRISPR/Cas9-engineering to reverse the V560G mutation in HMC-1.2 cells, resulting in a subline (HMC-1.3) with a single mono-allelic D816V-KIT variant. Transcriptome analyses predicted reduced activity in pathways involved in survival, cell-to-cell adhesion, and neoplasia in HMC-1.3 compared to HMC-1.2 cells, with differences in expression of molecular components and cell surface markers. Consistently, subcutaneous inoculation of HMC-1.3 into mice produced significantly smaller tumors than HMC-1.2 cells, and in colony assays, HMC-1.3 formed less numerous and smaller colonies than HMC-1.2 cells. However, in liquid culture conditions, the growth of HMC-1.2 and HMC-1.3 cells was comparable. Phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, AKT and STAT5, representing pathways associated with constitutive oncogenic KIT signaling, were also similar between HMC-1.2 and HMC-1.3 cells. Despite these similarities in liquid culture, survival of HMC-1.3 cells was diminished in response to various pharmacological inhibitors, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors used clinically for treatment of advanced systemic mastocytosis, and JAK2 and BCL2 inhibitors, making HMC-1.3 more susceptible to these drugs than HMC-1.2 cells. Our study thus reveals that the additional V560G-KIT oncogenic variant in HMC-1.2 cells modifies transcriptional programs induced by D816V-KIT, confers a survival advantage, alters sensitivity to interventional drugs, and increases the tumorigenicity, suggesting that engineered huMCs with a single D816V-KIT variant may represent an improved preclinical model for mastocytosis.

The SCF/KIT axis in human mast cells: Capicua acts as potent KIT repressor and ERK predominates PI3K

BACKGROUND

The SCF/KIT axis regulates nearly all aspects of mast cell (MC) biology. A comprehensive view of SCF-triggered phosphorylation dynamics is lacking. The relationship between signaling modules and SCF-supported functions likewise remains ill-defined.

METHODS

Mast cells were isolated from human skin; upon stimulation by SCF, global phosphoproteomic changes were analyzed by LC-MS/MS and selectively validated by immunoblotting. MC survival was inspected by YoPro; BrdU incorporation served to monitor proliferation. Gene expression was quantified by RT-qPCR and cytokines by ELISA. Pharmacological inhibitors were supplemented by ERK1 and/or ERK2 knockdown. CIC translocation and degradation were studied in nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions. CIC's impact on KIT signaling and function was assessed following RNA interference.

RESULTS

≈5400 out of ≈10,500 phosphosites experienced regulation by SCF. The MEK/ERK cascade was strongly induced surpassing STAT5 > PI3K/Akt > p38 > JNK. Comparison between MEK/ERK's and PI3K's support of basic programs (apoptosis, proliferation) revealed equipotency between modules. In functional outputs (gene expression, cytokines), ERK was the most influential kinase. OSM and LIF production was identified in skin MCs. Strikingly, SCF triggered massive phosphorylation of a protein not associated with KIT previously: CIC. Phosphorylation was followed by CIC's cytoplasmic appearance and degradation, the latter sensitive to protease but not preoteasome inhibition. Both shuttling and degradation were ERK-dependent. Conversely, CIC-siRNA facilitated KIT signaling, functional outputs, and survival.

CONCLUSION

The SCF/KIT axis shows notable strength in MCs, and MEK/ERK as most prominent module. An inhibitory circuit exists between KIT and CIC. CIC stabilization in MCs may turn out as a therapeutic option to interfere with allergic and MC-driven diseases.

Nontryptase Urinary and Hematologic Biomarkers of Mast Cell Expansion and Mast Cell Activation: Status 2022

Quantitation of urinary metabolites of histamine, prostaglandin D₂, and leukotriene E₄ can fill the gap in our current efforts to improve diagnosis and management of symptomatic patients with systemic mastocytosis, and/or mast cell activation syndrome, In addition, patients symptomatic due to mast cell activation but who do not meet all the criteria for mast cell activation syndrome can have elevated baseline mediator metabolites. Serum tryptase levels have been the workhorse in diagnosing these disorders, but it has several drawbacks including the need to obtain acute and baseline samples, which require 2 visits to health care facilities and 2 venipunctures. Recently, increased baseline tryptase level has been reported in hereditary alpha tryptasemia, complicating diagnostic possibilities of an increased baseline tryptase level. Furthermore, no treatment can specifically be targeted at tryptase itself. In contrast, the finding of 1 or more elevated urinary levels of histamine, prostaglandin D₂, and/or leukotriene E₄ metabolites (1) greatly narrows diagnostic possibilities for causes of symptoms; (2) informs the practitioner what specific metabolic pathways are involved; and (3) targets the treatment in a specific, direct fashion. As a bonus, baseline spot/random urine samples can be obtained by the patients themselves and repeated at exactly the correct time when symptoms occur.

Altered innate immune profile in blood of systemic mastocytosis patients

Background

Mast cells (MC) from systemic mastocytosis (SM) patients release MC mediators that lead to an altered microenvironment with potential consequences on innate immune cells, such as monocytes and dendritic cells (DC). Here we investigated the distribution and functional behaviour of different populations of blood monocytes and DC among distinct diagnostic subtypes of SM.

Methods

Overall, we studied 115 SM patients - 45 bone marrow mastocytosis (BMM), 61 indolent SM (ISM), 9 aggressive SM (ASM)- and 32 healthy donors (HD). Spontaneous and in vitro-stimulated cytokine production by blood monocytes, and their plasma levels, together with the distribution of different subsets of blood monocytes and DCs, were investigated.

Results

SM patients showed increased plasma levels and spontaneous production by blood monocytes of IL1β, IL6, IL8, TNFα and IL10, associated with an exhausted ability of LPS + IFNγ-stimulated blood monocytes to produce IL1β and TGFβ. SM (particularly ISM) patients also showed decreased counts of total monocytes, at the expense of intermediate monocytes and non-classical monocytes. Interestingly, while ISM and ASM patients had decreased numbers of plasmacytoid DC and myeloid DC (and their major subsets) in blood, an expansion of AXL⁺ DC was specifically encountered in BMM cases.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate an altered distribution of blood monocytes and DC subsets in SM associated with constitutive activation of functionally impaired blood monocytes and increased plasma levels of a wide variety of inflammatory cytokines, reflecting broad activation of the innate immune response in mastocytosis.

TET2 regulates immune tolerance in chronically activated mast cells

Mutation of the TET2 DNA-hydroxymethylase has been associated with a number of immune pathologies. The disparity in phenotype and clinical presentation among these pathologies leads to questions regarding the role of TET2 mutation in promoting disease evolution in different immune cell types. Here we show that, in primary mast cells, Tet2 expression is induced in response to chronic and acute activation signals. In TET2-deficient mast cells, chronic activation via the oncogenic KITD816V allele associated with mastocytosis, selects for a specific epigenetic signature characterized by hypermethylated DNA regions (HMR) at immune response genes. H3K27ac and transcription factor binding is consistent with priming or more open chromatin at both HMR and non-HMR in proximity to immune genes in these cells, and this signature coincides with increased pathological inflammation signals. HMR are also associated with a subset of immune genes that are direct targets of TET2 and repressed in TET2-deficient cells. Repression of these genes results in immune tolerance to acute stimulation that can be rescued with vitamin C treatment or reiterated with a Tet inhibitor. Overall, our data support a model where TET2 plays a direct role in preventing immune tolerance in chronically activated mast cells, supporting TET2 as a viable target to reprogram the innate immune response for innovative therapies.

Personalized Management Strategies in Mast Cell Disorders: ECNM-AIM User's Guide for Daily Clinical Practice

Mastocytosis is a myeloid neoplasm defined by expansion and focal accumulation of clonal mast cells (MCs) in one or more organs. The disease exhibits a complex pathology and may be complicated by MC activation, bone abnormalities, neurological problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, and/or hematologic progression. The World Health Organization divides mastocytosis into cutaneous forms, systemic mastocytosis (SM) and MC sarcoma. In most patients with SM, somatic mutations in KIT are detected. Patients with indolent SM have a normal to near-normal life expectancy, whereas patients with advanced SM, including aggressive SM and MC leukemia, have a poor prognosis. In those with advanced SM, multiple somatic mutations and an associated hematologic neoplasm may be detected. Mediator-related symptoms can occur in any type of mastocytosis. Symptoms may be mild, severe, or even life-threatening. In patients with severe acute symptoms, an MC activation syndrome may be diagnosed. In these patients, relevant comorbidities include IgE-dependent and IgE-independent allergies. Management of patients with SM is an emerging challenge in daily practice and requires in-depth knowledge and a multidisciplinary and personalized approach with selection of appropriate procedures and interventions. In this article, we review the current knowledge on SM and MC activation syndrome, with emphasis on multidisciplinary aspects in diagnosis and patient-specific management. In addition, we provide a user's guide for application of markers, algorithms, prognostic scores, and treatments for use in daily practice.

Altered leukocyte subsets and immune proteome indicate pro-inflammatory mechanisms in mastocytosis

BACKGROUND

Indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) is characterized by pathological accumulation of mast cells. The mechanism behind its phenotypic heterogeneity is not well understood. Interaction of mast cells with other immune cells might cause systemic inflammation and thereby associated symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate peripheral leukocyte compartments and serum immune proteome in ISM.

METHODS

Peripheral blood leukocyte phenotyping using flowcytometry in a cohort of 18 adults with ISM and 12 healthy controls. Targeted proteomics was performed to measure 169 proteins associated with inflammation on serum of another 20 ISM patients and 20 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Proportions of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and monocytes were significantly decreased while T-helper 2 cells were increased in peripheral blood of ISM patients. Furthermore, a shift from naïve to memory T-cells was observed. Hierarchical clustering of the serum proteome revealed two distinct subgroups within ISM patients. In subgroup A (n=8), 62 proteins were significantly overexpressed, whereas subgroup B (n=12) was comparable to healthy controls. Patients in subgroup A displayed upregulated signaling pathways downstream of Toll-like receptor 4, TNF-α and interferon-γFatigue was more often present in subgroup A compared to B (75% vs. 33% respectively, p 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Altered distribution of leukocyte subsets and a pro-inflammatory proteome were observed in subsequent two cohorts of ISM patients. We hypothesize that neoplastic mast cells recruit and activate pDC, monocytes and T-cells leading to a vicious cycle of inflammation.

CLINICAL IMPLICATION

Characterization of inflammatory mechanisms in ISM might uncover additional targets for treatment, in particular for constitutional symptoms such as fatigue.

GlcNAc is a mast-cell chromatin-remodeling oncometabolite that promotes systemic mastocytosis aggressiveness

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a KIT-driven hematopoietic neoplasm characterized by the excessive accumulation of neoplastic mast cells (MCs) in various organs and, mainly, the bone marrow (BM). Multiple genetic and epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the onset and severity of SM. However, little is known to date about the metabolic underpinnings underlying SM aggressiveness, which has thus far impeded the development of strategies to leverage metabolic dependencies when existing KIT-targeted treatments fail. Here, we show that plasma metabolomic profiles were able to discriminate indolent from advanced forms of the disease. We identified N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) as the most predictive metabolite of SM severity. High plasma levels of GlcNAc in patients with advanced SM correlated with the activation of the GlcNAc-fed hexosamine biosynthesis pathway in patients BM aspirates and purified BM MCs. At the functional level, GlcNAc enhanced human neoplastic MCs proliferation and promoted rapid health deterioration in a humanized mouse model of SM. In addition, in the presence of GlcNAc, immunoglobulin E-stimulated MCs triggered enhanced release of proinflammatory cytokines and a stronger acute response in a mouse model of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Mechanistically, elevated GlcNAc levels promoted the transcriptional accessibility of chromatin regions that contain genes encoding mediators of receptor tyrosine kinases cascades and inflammatory responses, thus leading to a more aggressive phenotype. Therefore, GlcNAc is an oncometabolite driver of SM aggressiveness. This study suggests the therapeutic potential for targeting metabolic pathways in MC-related diseases to manipulate MCs effector functions.

Anaphylaxis: Focus on Transcription Factor Activity

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, rapid in onset, and can lead to fatal consequences if not promptly treated. The incidence of anaphylaxis has risen at an alarming rate in past decades and continues to rise. Therefore, there is a general interest in understanding the molecular mechanism that leads to an exacerbated response. The main effector cells are mast cells, commonly triggered by stimuli that involve the IgE-dependent or IgE-independent pathway. These signaling pathways converge in the release of proinflammatory mediators, such as histamine, tryptases, prostaglandins, etc., in minutes. The action and cell targets of these proinflammatory mediators are linked to the pathophysiologic consequences observed in this severe allergic reaction. While many molecules are involved in cellular regulation, the expression and regulation of transcription factors involved in the synthesis of proinflammatory mediators and secretory granule homeostasis are of special interest, due to their ability to control gene expression and change phenotype, and they may be key in the severity of the entire reaction. In this review, we will describe our current understanding of the pathophysiology of human anaphylaxis, focusing on the transcription factors' contributions to this systemic hypersensitivity reaction. Host mutation in transcription factor expression, or deregulation of their activity in an anaphylaxis context, will be updated. So far, the risk of anaphylaxis is unpredictable thus, increasing our knowledge of the molecular mechanism that leads and regulates mast cell activity will enable us to improve our understanding of how anaphylaxis can be prevented or treated.

Molecular Background, Clinical Features and Management of Pediatric Mastocytosis: Status 2021

Pediatric mastocytosis is a heterogeneous disease characterized by accumulation of mast cells in the skin and less frequently in other organs. Somatic or germline mutations in the KIT proto-oncogene are detected in most patients. Cutaneous mastocytosis is the most common form of the disease in children. In the majority of cases, skin lesions regress spontaneously around puberty. However, in few patients, mastocytosis is not a self-limiting disease, but persists into adulthood and can show signs of systemic involvement, especially when skin lesions are small-sized and monomorphic. Children with mastocytosis often suffer from mast cell mediator-related symptoms. Severe hypersensitivity reactions can also occur, mostly in patients with extensive skin lesions and blistering. In a substantial number of these cases, the triggering factor of anaphylaxis remains unidentified. Management of pediatric mastocytosis is mainly based on strict avoidance of triggers, treatment with H1 and H2 histamine receptor blockers, and equipment of patients and their families with epinephrine auto-injectors for use in severe anaphylactic reactions. Advanced systemic mastocytosis occurs occasionally. All children with mastocytosis require follow-up examinations. A bone marrow investigation is performed when advanced systemic mastocytosis is suspected and has an impact on therapy or when cutaneous disease persists into adulthood.

Clinical Impact of Inherited and Acquired Genetic Variants in Mastocytosis

Mastocytosis is a rare and complex disease characterized by expansion of clonal mast cells (MC) in skin and/or various internal organ systems. Involvement of internal organs leads to the diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis (SM). The WHO classification divides SM into indolent SM, smoldering SM and advanced SM variants, including SM with an associated hematologic neoplasm, aggressive SM, and MC leukemia. Historically, genetic analysis of individuals with pure cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) and SM have focused primarily on cohort studies of inherited single nucleotide variants and acquired pathogenic variants. The most prevalent pathogenic variant (mutation) in patients with SM is KIT p.D816V, which is detectable in most adult patients. Other somatic mutations have also been identified-especially in advanced SM-in TET2, SRSF2, ASXL1, RUNX1, CBL and JAK2, and shown to impact clinical and cellular phenotypes. Although only small patient cohorts have been analyzed, disease associations have also been identified in several germline variants within genes encoding certain cytokines or their receptors (IL13, IL6, IL6R, IL31, IL4R) and toll-like receptors. More recently, an increased prevalence of hereditary alpha-tryptasemia (HαT) caused by increased TPSAB1 copy number encoding alpha-tryptase has been described in patients with SM. Whereas HαT is found in 3-6% of general Western populations, it is identified in up to 17% of patients with SM. In the current manuscript we review the prevalence, functional role and clinical impact of various germline and somatic genetic variants in patients with mastocytosis.

Emerging mechanisms contributing to mast cell-mediated pathophysiology with therapeutic implications

Mast cells are tissue-resident immune cells that play key roles in the initiation and perpetuation of allergic inflammation, usually through IgE-mediated mechanisms. Mast cells are, however, evolutionary ancient immune cells that can be traced back to urochordates and before the emergence of IgE antibodies, suggesting their involvement in antibody-independent biological functions, many of which are still being characterized. Herein, we summarize recent advances in understanding the roles of mast cells in health and disease, partly through the study of emerging non-IgE receptors such as the Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2, implicated in pseudo-allergic reactions as well as in innate defense and neuronal sensing; the mechano-sensing adhesion G protein-coupled receptor E2, variants of which are associated with familial vibratory urticaria; and purinergic receptors, which orchestrate tissue damage responses similarly to the IL-33 receptor. Recent evidence also points toward novel mechanisms that contribute to mast cell-mediated pathophysiology. Thus, in addition to releasing preformed mediators contained in granules and synthesizing mediators de novo, mast cells also secrete extracellular vesicles, which convey biological functions. Understanding their release, composition and uptake within a variety of clinical conditions will contribute to the understanding of disease specific pathology and likely lead the way to novel therapeutic approaches. We also discuss recent advances in the development of therapies targeting mast cell activity, including the ligation of inhibitory ITIM-containing receptors, and other strategies that suppress mast cells or responses to mediators for the management of mast cell-related diseases.

SRC-Family Kinases in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and Mastocytosis

Protein tyrosine kinases have been recognized as important actors of cell transformation and cancer progression, since their discovery as products of viral oncogenes. SRC-family kinases (SFKs) play crucial roles in normal hematopoiesis. Not surprisingly, they are hyperactivated and are essential for membrane receptor downstream signaling in hematological malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and mastocytosis. The precise roles of SFKs are difficult to delineate due to the number of substrates, the functional redundancy among members, and the use of tools that are not selective. Yet, a large num ber of studies have accumulated evidence to support that SFKs are rational therapeutic targets in AML and mastocytosis. These two pathologies are regulated by two related receptor tyrosine kinases, which are well known in the field of hematology: FLT3 and KIT. FLT3 is one of the most frequently mutated genes in AML, while KIT oncogenic mutations occur in 80-90% of mastocytosis. Studies on oncogenic FLT3 and KIT signaling have shed light on specific roles for members of the SFK family. This review highlights the central roles of SFKs in AML and mastocytosis, and their interconnection with FLT3 and KIT oncoproteins.

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Interferes with the Apoptosis of Human Skin Mast Cells by a Dual Strategy Involving STAT5/Mcl-1 and JNK/Bcl-xL

Mast cells (MCs) play critical roles in allergic and inflammatory reactions and contribute to multiple pathologies in the skin, in which they show increased numbers, which frequently correlates with severity. It remains ill-defined how MC accumulation is established by the cutaneous microenvironment, in part because research on human MCs rarely employs MCs matured in the tissue, and extrapolations from other MC subsets have limitations, considering the high level of MC heterogeneity. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)—released by epithelial cells, like keratinocytes, following disturbed homeostasis and inflammation—has attracted much attention, but its impact on skin MCs remains undefined, despite the vast expression of the TSLP receptor by these cells. Using several methods, each detecting a distinct component of the apoptotic process (membrane alterations, DNA degradation, and caspase-3 activity), our study pinpoints TSLP as a novel survival factor of dermal MCs. TSLP confers apoptosis resistance via concomitant activation of the TSLP/ signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-5 / myeloid cell leukemia (Mcl)-1 route and a newly uncovered TSLP/ c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK)/ B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-x_L axis, as evidenced by RNA interference and pharmacological inhibition. Our findings highlight the potential contribution of TSLP to the MC supportive niche of the skin and, vice versa, highlight MCs as crucial responders to TSLP in the context of TSLP-driven disorders.