The Role of Mast Cells in IgE-Independent Lung Diseases

Mast cells (MCs) are innate immune cells with cytoplasmic granules that are developed from CD34 and CD117 expressing hematopoietic MC progenitor cells (MCps). A well-organized chemokine and integrin-based trafficking system contributes to the migration of MCps from bone marrow where they originate, through the circulation and finally to the target tissues [1]. Expression of integrins, mainly α4β7 and α4β1, on MCps helps them traffic from the circulation into the lung by binding to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expressed on the endothelium [2]. MCps complete their final stage of differentiation to functional MCs under the influence of growth factors particularly stem cell factor (SCF) [3]. In addition to SCF, there are other cytokines that contribute to the growth and differentiation of MCps to functional mature MCs including transforming growth factor (TGF)β, nerve growth factor (NGF), interleukin (IL)-3, IL-4, IL-9, and IL-33 [2]. Crosslinking of the high-affinity immunoglobulin (Ig)E receptor (FcεRI) by allergen bounded IgE acts as a stimulus for triggers the signaling pathways which result in degranulation of MCs [4] (Fig. 1). Upon degranulation, MCs release a broad spectrum of mediators which are classified in three groups including pre-formed mediators (including histamine, tryptase, and chymase), de novo mediators including prostaglandin (PG)D2, leukotriene (LT)B4, and LTD4, and also a long list of cytokines and growth factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TGF-β, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-10, IL-8, IL-5, IL-3, and IL-1 [5, 6]. Two major subsets of MCs have been described in humans. These differ according to their secretory granule (SG) protease content and anatomical distribution: tryptase- and chymase-positive MCs (MCTC) which can be mainly found in connective tissues and their SGs contain tryptase, chymase, carboxypeptidase, and cathepsin and a tryptase-positive MC (MCT) subset which are defined by expression of tryptase and absence of chymase and their distribution in the lung and gut [7]. Interestingly, in lung tissues, the MCT subtype releases IL-5 and IL-6, whereas the MCTC subtype expresses IL-4 and IL-13 [8]. Beyond their classic role in IgE-dependent allergic disorders of the lung, MCs may play a role in IgE-independent disorders and contribute to tissue remodeling and reshaping of the lung tumor microenvironment. This review describes MC stimulation and biology and the mechanisms underlying SG release and then describes the evidence for an IgE-independent role of MCs in the chronic lung diseases asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and lung cancer.

The expression of tetrameric αβγ2 complex of FcεRI by tissue-resident MCs and circulatory basophils enables them to respond to IgE. Physical interaction between IgE and FcεRI is mediated by the α subunit [9]. The β- and γ-chains possess an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) in their cytoplasmic domains [9] and phosphorylation of these ITAMs by the Src-family protein tyrosine kinase Lyn occurs after IgE/FcεRI engagement. ITAM-bound Syk and Fyn can enhance Lyn-mediated phosphorylation and indeed several protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) promote phosphorylation and activation of downstream signaling molecules including transmembrane adaptor proteins (TRAPs) and linker for activation of T cells (LAT). Phosphorylated TRAPs act as membrane docking points for SH2 domains containing proteins such as Grb2 and the subsequent recruitment and activation of phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ). PLCγ produces several second messengers including diacylglycerol” (DAG) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) following modulation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate” (PIP2). IP3, which induces Ca2+ efflux from the endoplasmic reticulum, together with the calcium sensor stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1)/ORAI1, results in enhanced intracellular Ca2+ levels, MC degranulation, and the release of a wide spectrum of mediators into the surrounding microenvironment [10‐13] (Fig. 2). The importance of IgE/FcεRI signaling in the activation and degranulation of MCs has led to several strategies for the pharmaceutical control of MC activation which are summarized in Table 1.

Although IgE/FcεRI signaling is the main pathway through which MCs become activated and degranulate MCs express other receptors that can induce cell activation [14], these receptors make MCs highly effective responders to different endogenous and exogenous airborne factors. Early mRNA studies showed that human and mice MCs express several toll-like receptors (TLRs) including TLR1, TLR-2, TLR-4, and TLR-6 through which they respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan to produce LTC4, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL5, IL-13, and GM-CSF [15]. Indeed, the expression of TLRs enables MCs to act as sentinel and responding cells when they encounter environmental pathogens. Activation of TLR-4 and TLR-6 on MCs results in the upregulation of cytokines mainly GM-CSF, IL-8, and IL-10. Additionally, the engagement of TLR-8 by single strand-RNA induces the release of IL-8, MIP-1α, and TNF-α [16]. MCs also express C-type lectin receptors including the type II transmembrane β-glucan receptor Dectin-1 which is involved in microbial defense. Exposure of MCs to yeast C. albicans results in MC degranulation and the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytokines including CCL3, CCL4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. Blockade of Dectin-1, but not of TLR-2, confirmed the key role of Dectin-1 in the release of TNFα in response to C. albicans [17]. Engagement and activation of MC-expressed scavenger receptor CD36 and of TLR-4 are implicated in the microbial defense against Coxiella burnetii by MCs. This leads to the release of actin filaments (cytonemes) bound to cathelicidin and of neutrophil elastase which enables the capture and elimination of Coxiella burnetii [18] (Fig. 3).

MCs express several complement receptors and receptors to anaphylatoxins including C3aR and C5aR (CD88) [19, 20]. Activation of MCs with C3a, for example, induces the release of MCP-1/CCL2 and RANTES/CCL5 in LAD2 cells [20]. IL-37 possesses antimicrobial properties and promotes physiologic processes including inflammation and angiogenesis. IL-37-mediated MC activation occurs through the G protein-coupled receptor MrgX2 in human MCs and is considered a promising new treatment in MC-driven disorders [21]. Interestingly, MC-derived heparin may inactivate IL-37 by homodimerization with macrophage-derived IL-37 in response to TLR activation [22, 23]. Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtype 1 (CRFR1) expressed on MCs interacts with its ligand corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) to enhance MC degranulation [24]. Endogenous factors include several cytokines and neuropeptides which stimulate MC degranulation when they engage with the corresponding receptors on MCs (Table 2). The proximity of nerves and MCs within the perivascular space in organs such as the heart may lead to activation of MCs by factors such as substance P released by neurons. Levick et al. reported that substance P activates cardiac MCs via cell surface neurokinin-1 receptors to induce the release of histamine [25]. Similarly, mucosal MCs and nerve fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are in close proximity within the colon of mice with food allergy (FA). Kim and colleagues studied the effects of CGRP on MCs using a CGRP-receptor antagonist, BIBN4096BS and concluded that blockade of the CGRP/CGRP receptor (CGRPR) interaction alleviates allergic symptoms [26]. Yang et al. described a mastocytosis-like disease in mice following MC stimulation by NGF and subsequent binding to its receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) [27].

As described above, human MCs are heterogeneous and are often characterized by the neutral protease content within granules, e.g., MCTC skin mast cells and MCT lung mast cells [28]. MC granule subpopulations can be further defined at the ultrastructural and protein content level. Thus, type I granules contain MHC class II, β-hexosaminidase, Lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP)-1 and -2, and the mannose 6 phosphate receptor (M6PR); type II granules contain these mediators plus serotonin and type III granules contain β-hexosaminidase and serotonin but not MHC class II [29]. The triggering of SG release by various mast cell stimuli is complex and tightly regulated [30]. In its most simplistic form, the fusion of the SG membrane with the cell plasma membrane can allow SG contents to be released into the extracellular space. Besides, three other distinct types of SG degranulation have been described: (i) “Kiss-and-run” exocytosis allows partial release of the SG cargo through the formation of a transient fusion pore; (ii) “Piecemeal exocytosis” using vesicles to shuttle SG stored mediators to the plasma membrane; and (iii) “compound exocytosis” or “anaphylactic degranulation” wherein fused SG-SG multi-granular structures merge with the plasma membrane [30]. These distinct types of SG content release can elicit the rapid and complete release of contents (compound exocytosis) while piecemeal degranulation allows the precise release of specific SG components. Different MC triggers or stimuli allow these distinct SG release processes to occur. For example, the degranulation responses triggered by Mas-related gene x2 (MRGX2) and FceRI differ in the quality and degree of mediator release [31] with reduced cytokine (TNF, IL-13, VEGF, and MCP-1) and eicosanoid (PGE2 and PGD2) release being less following MRGX2 stimulation despite comparable levels of MC degranulation. Thus, the specificity and extent of MC degranulation are stimulus-dependent and regulated by the plethora of MC cell surface receptors. Mechanistically, MC SG exocytosis requires SNAREs [soluble NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) attachment protein receptors] and SM (Sec1-Munc18) proteins [29]. Multiple sets of SNARE-SM complexes exist which differentially regulate both constitutive and regulated SG membrane fusion and mediator release. Support for stimulus/SNARE specificity derives from the inhibition of specific SNARE proteins selectivity suppressed the release of CXCL8, CCL2, and CCL3 from IgE/FcεRI-stimulated MCs [32]. This suggests that different MC stimuli may exploit distinct exocytic fusion machinery to induce the selective release of mediators from SGs although this needs to be confirmed [29].

It is unknown whether the MC release of MMP9 in cancer is mimicked in other diseases. However, there is some evidence that MMPs may play a role in MC-regulated remodeling. In a mouse model of asthma, Clostridium butyricum CGMCC0313-1 (C. butyricum) significantly reduced lung function, airway inflammation, mast cell degranulation, and airway remodeling. These effects were associated with reduced MMP9 expression [51]. Besides, there is a strong correlation between MMP9 expression and mast cell numbers after nasal allergen challenge in subjects with allergic rhinitis [52]. Furthermore, the IL-3-stimulated release of MM9 by murine MCs is essential for MC migration into tissues and suppressed by stem cell factor [53]. This suggests that there is an interplay between stem cell factor, MMP9, and mast cell engagement with tissue matrix. Other MMPs such as MMP10 have been associated with MC activation, airway remodeling, and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization in severe asthma [54], while airway smooth muscle-derived MMP1 was activated by MC tryptase enabling the development of a proliferative ECM that may account for the association with a link to airway responsiveness in severe asthma [35]. Finally, activated MCs in 3D culture resulted in enhanced release of active MMP2 and ASM proliferation [55] and of collagen and MMP2 and MMP3 release and fibroblast contraction [56].

Beyond their well-documented role in allergy, MCs are also involved in the pathology of non-allergic diseases including autoimmune disorders, obesity, infertility, and even physiologic processes such as wound healing. They owe much of this ability to the expression of a wide spectrum of cell surface receptors including those for complement and various cytokines. MCs release a plethora of mediators in a stimulus-dependent manner despite similar degrees of degranulation. This enables them to crosstalk with other immune/non-immune cells. Studying the role of MCs in pathology of non-allergic diseases is not simple due to different anatomic distribution of MCs and MC subtypes, different immune responses to different stimuli, their ability to release both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in a context-dependent manner, limited number of MC-deficient mice models for each disease, inconsistent results of in vivo and in vitro investigations, and the limited number of mice and human cell lines. However, careful design of experiments and future single-cell RNA-sequence analysis of individual MCs from patient samples at baseline and in response to therapies will help define MC involvement in disease. New in vitro and in vivo models that utilize this information can then be derived to provide further insight into this important area.