Signal transduction by the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) depends on membrane lipid and protein compartmentalization. Recently published data show that cells treated with 1-heptanol, a cell membrane fluidizer, exhibit changes in membrane properties. However, the functional consequences of 1-heptanol-induced changes on mast cell signaling are unknown. This study shows that short-term exposure to 1-heptanol reduces membrane thermal stability and dysregulates mast cell signaling at multiple levels. Cells treated with 1-heptanol exhibited increased lateral mobility and decreased internalization of the FcεRI. However, this did not affect the initial phosphorylation of the FcεRI-β chain and components of the SYK/LAT1/PLCγ1 signaling pathway after antigen activation. In contrast, 1-heptanol inhibited SAPK/JNK phosphorylation and effector functions such as calcium response, degranulation, and cytokine production. Membrane hyperfluidization induced a heat shock-like response via increased expression of the heat shock protein 70, increased lateral diffusion of ORAI1-mCherry, and unsatisfactory performance of STIM1-ORAI1 coupling, as determined by flow-FRET. Furthermore, 1-heptanol inhibited the antigen-induced production of reactive oxygen species and potentiated stress-induced plasma membrane permeability by interfering with heat shock protein 70 activity. The combined data suggest that 1-heptanol-mediated membrane fluidization does not interfere with the earliest biochemical steps of FcεRI signaling, such as phosphorylation of the FcεRI-β chain and components of the SYK/LAT/PLCγ1 signaling pathway, instead inhibiting the FcεRI internalization and mast cell effector functions, including degranulation and cytokine production.

• Keywords
• FRAP, FcεRI signaling, STIM1-ORAI1 coupling, alkanol, flow-FRET, heat shock response, membrane fluidizer, store-operated calcium entry,
• MeSH
• Cholesterol MeSH
• Cytokines MeSH
• Heptanol MeSH
• Mast Cells * MeSH
• Signal Transduction * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Cholesterol MeSH
• Cytokines MeSH
• Heptanol MeSH

C-terminal Src kinase (CSK) is a major negative regulator of Src family tyrosine kinases (SFKs) that play critical roles in immunoreceptor signaling. CSK is brought in contiguity to the plasma membrane-bound SFKs via binding to transmembrane adaptor PAG, also known as CSK-binding protein. The recent finding that PAG can function as a positive regulator of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI)-mediated mast cell signaling suggested that PAG and CSK have some non-overlapping regulatory functions in mast cell activation. To determine the regulatory roles of CSK in FcεRI signaling, we derived bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) with reduced or enhanced expression of CSK from wild-type (WT) or PAG knockout (KO) mice and analyzed their FcεRI-mediated activation events. We found that in contrast to PAG-KO cells, antigen-activated BMMCs with CSK knockdown (KD) exhibited significantly higher degranulation, calcium response, and tyrosine phosphorylation of FcεRI, SYK, and phospholipase C. Interestingly, FcεRI-mediated events in BMMCs with PAG-KO were restored upon CSK silencing. BMMCs with CSK-KD/PAG-KO resembled BMMCs with CSK-KD alone. Unexpectedly, cells with CSK-KD showed reduced kinase activity of LYN and decreased phosphorylation of transcription factor STAT5. This was accompanied by impaired production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in antigen-activated cells. In line with this, BMMCs with CSK-KD exhibited enhanced phosphorylation of protein phosphatase SHP-1, which provides a negative feedback loop for regulating phosphorylation of STAT5 and LYN kinase activity. Furthermore, we found that in WT BMMCs SHP-1 forms complexes containing LYN, CSK, and STAT5. Altogether, our data demonstrate that in FcεRI-activated mast cells CSK is a negative regulator of degranulation and chemotaxis, but a positive regulator of adhesion to fibronectin and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Some of these pathways are not dependent on the presence of PAG.

• Keywords
• C-terminal Src kinase, LYN, SHP-1, STAT5, cytokines, degranulation, mast cell, phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains,
• MeSH
• Analysis of Variance MeSH
• Bone Marrow Cells physiology   MeSH
• CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase MeSH
• Cytokines metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Degranulation MeSH
• Fibronectins metabolism   MeSH
• Phosphoproteins metabolism   MeSH
• Phosphorylation MeSH
• Genetic Vectors MeSH
• HEK293 Cells MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mast Cells physiology   MeSH
• Membrane Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
• Mice, Knockout MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Receptors, IgE metabolism   MeSH
• Signal Transduction immunology   MeSH
• src-Family Kinases metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• STAT5 Transcription Factor metabolism   MeSH
• Tyrosine metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6 metabolism   MeSH
• Calcium metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase MeSH
• CSK protein, human MeSH Browser
• Cytokines MeSH
• Fibronectins MeSH
• Phosphoproteins MeSH
• lyn protein-tyrosine kinase MeSH Browser
• Membrane Proteins MeSH
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins MeSH
• Pag protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Pag1 protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Ptpn6 protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Receptors, IgE MeSH
• src-Family Kinases MeSH
• STAT5 Transcription Factor MeSH
• Tyrosine MeSH
• Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6 MeSH
• Calcium MeSH

The plasma membrane contains diverse and specialized membrane domains, which include tetraspanin-enriched domains (TEMs) and transmembrane adaptor protein (TRAP)-enriched domains. Recent biophysical, microscopic, and functional studies indicated that TEMs and TRAP-enriched domains are involved in compartmentalization of physicochemical events of such important processes as immunoreceptor signal transduction and chemotaxis. Moreover, there is evidence of a cross-talk between TEMs and TRAP-enriched domains. In this review we discuss the presence and function of such domains and their crosstalk using mast cells as a model. The combined data based on analysis of selected mast cell-expressed tetraspanins [cluster of differentiation (CD)9, CD53, CD63, CD81, CD151)] or TRAPs [linker for activation of T cells (LAT), non-T cell activation linker (NTAL), and phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane microdomains (PAG)] using knockout mice or specific antibodies point to a diversity within these two families and bring evidence of the important roles of these molecules in signaling events. An example of this diversity is physical separation of two TRAPs, LAT and NTAL, which are in many aspects similar but show plasma membrane location in different microdomains in both non-activated and activated cells. Although our understanding of TEMs and TRAP-enriched domains is far from complete, pharmaceutical applications of the knowledge about these domains are under way.

• Keywords
• CD9, IgE receptor, LAT, NTAL, membrane microdomains, plasma membrane, signal transduction,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Ethanol has multiple effects on biochemical events in a variety of cell types, including the high-affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (FcεRI) signaling in antigen-activated mast cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. To get better understanding of the effect of ethanol on FcεRI-mediated signaling we examined the effect of short-term treatment with non-toxic concentrations of ethanol on FcεRI signaling events in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. We found that 15 min exposure to ethanol inhibited antigen-induced degranulation, calcium mobilization, expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-13), and formation of reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner. Removal of cellular cholesterol with methyl-β-cyclodextrin had a similar effect and potentiated some of the inhibitory effects of ethanol. In contrast, exposure of the cells to cholesterol-saturated methyl-β-cyclodextrin abolished in part the inhibitory effect of ethanol on calcium response and production of reactive oxygen species, supporting lipid-centric theories of ethanol action on the earliest stages of mast cell signaling. Further studies showed that exposure to ethanol and/or removal of cholesterol inhibited early FcεRI activation events, including tyrosine phosphorylation of the FcεRI β and γ subunits, SYK kinases, LAT adaptor protein, phospholipase Cγ, STAT5, and AKT and internalization of aggregated FcεRI. Interestingly, ethanol alone, and particularly in combination with methyl-β-cyclodextrin, enhanced phosphorylation of negative regulatory tyrosine 507 of LYN kinase. Finally, we found that ethanol reduced passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction in mice, suggesting that ethanol also inhibits FcεRI signaling under in vivo conditions. The combined data indicate that ethanol interferes with early antigen-induced signaling events in mast cells by suppressing the function of FcεRI-cholesterol signalosomes at the plasma membrane.

• MeSH
• Cholesterol metabolism   MeSH
• Cytokines genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Ethanol pharmacology   MeSH
• Gene Expression drug effects   MeSH
• Phosphorylation MeSH
• Mast Cells drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Receptors, IgE metabolism   MeSH
• Signal Transduction drug effects   MeSH
• Calcium metabolism   MeSH
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Cholesterol MeSH
• Cytokines MeSH
• Ethanol MeSH
• Receptors, IgE MeSH
• Calcium MeSH

The transmembrane adaptor protein PAG/CBP (here, PAG) is expressed in multiple cell types. Tyrosine-phosphorylated PAG serves as an anchor for C-terminal SRC kinase, an inhibitor of SRC-family kinases. The role of PAG as a negative regulator of immunoreceptor signaling has been examined in several model systems, but no functions in vivo have been determined. Here, we examined the activation of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) with PAG knockout and PAG knockdown and the corresponding controls. Our data show that PAG-deficient BMMCs exhibit impaired antigen-induced degranulation, extracellular calcium uptake, tyrosine phosphorylation of several key signaling proteins (including the high-affinity IgE receptor subunits, spleen tyrosine kinase, and phospholipase C), production of several cytokines and chemokines, and chemotaxis. The enzymatic activities of the LYN and FYN kinases were increased in nonactivated cells, suggesting the involvement of a LYN- and/or a FYN-dependent negative regulatory loop. When BMMCs from PAG-knockout mice were activated via the KIT receptor, enhanced degranulation and tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor were observed. In vivo experiments showed that PAG is a positive regulator of passive systemic anaphylaxis. The combined data indicate that PAG can function as both a positive and a negative regulator of mast cell signaling, depending upon the signaling pathway involved.

• MeSH
• Anaphylaxis genetics   MeSH
• Bone Marrow Cells metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase MeSH
• Cell Degranulation MeSH
• Type C Phospholipases metabolism   MeSH
• Phosphoproteins genetics   MeSH
• Phosphorylation MeSH
• Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Syk Kinase MeSH
• RNA, Small Interfering MeSH
• Mast Cells metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• Membrane Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
• Mice, Knockout MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn biosynthesis   MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit metabolism   MeSH
• Receptors, IgE metabolism   MeSH
• RNA Interference MeSH
• Signal Transduction MeSH
• src-Family Kinases biosynthesis   metabolism   MeSH
• Protein-Tyrosine Kinases metabolism   MeSH
• Calcium metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase MeSH
• Type C Phospholipases MeSH
• Phosphoproteins MeSH
• Fyn protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins MeSH
• Syk Kinase MeSH
• lyn protein-tyrosine kinase MeSH Browser
• RNA, Small Interfering MeSH
• Membrane Proteins MeSH
• Pag1 protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit MeSH
• Receptors, IgE MeSH
• src-Family Kinases MeSH
• Syk protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Protein-Tyrosine Kinases MeSH
• Calcium MeSH

Mast cell activation mediated by the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI) is a key event in allergic response and inflammation. Other receptors on mast cells, as c-Kit for stem cell factor and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) synergistically enhance the FcεRI-mediated release of inflammatory mediators. Activation of various signaling pathways in mast cells results in changes in cell morphology, adhesion to substrate, exocytosis, and migration. Reorganization of cytoskeleton is pivotal in all these processes. Cytoskeletal proteins also play an important role in initial stages of FcεRI and other surface receptors induced triggering. Highly dynamic microtubules formed by αβ-tubulin dimers as well as microfilaments build up from polymerized actin are affected in activated cells by kinases/phosphatases, Rho GTPases and changes in concentration of cytosolic Ca(2+). Also important are nucleation proteins; the γ-tubulin complexes in case of microtubules or Arp 2/3 complex with its nucleation promoting factors and formins in case of microfilaments. The dynamic nature of microtubules and microfilaments in activated cells depends on many associated/regulatory proteins. Changes in rigidity of activated mast cells reflect changes in intermediate filaments build up from vimentin. This review offers a critical appraisal of current knowledge on the role of cytoskeleton in mast cells signaling.

• Keywords
• actins, intermediate filaments, mast cell activation, microfilaments, microtubules, signal transduction, tubulins, vimentin,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Aggregation of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) initiates a cascade of signaling events leading to release of preformed inflammatory and allergy mediators and de novo synthesis and secretion of cytokines and other compounds. The first biochemically well defined step of this signaling cascade is tyrosine phosphorylation of the FcεRI subunits by Src family kinase Lyn, followed by recruitment and activation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Activity of Syk is decisive for the formation of multicomponent signaling assemblies, the signalosomes, in the vicinity of the receptors. Formation of the signalosomes is dependent on the presence of transmembrane adaptor proteins (TRAPs). These proteins are characterized by a short extracellular domain, a single transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail with various motifs serving as anchors for cytoplasmic signaling molecules. In mast cells five TRAPs have been identified [linker for activation of T cells (LAT), non-T cell activation linker (NTAL), linker for activation of X cells (LAX), phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane microdomains (PAG), and growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2)-binding adaptor protein, transmembrane (GAPT)]; engagement of four of them (LAT, NTAL, LAX, and PAG) in FcεRI signaling has been documented. Here we discuss recent progress in the understanding of how TRAPs affect FcεRI-mediated mast cell signaling. The combined data indicate that individual TRAPs have irreplaceable roles in important signaling events such as calcium response, degranulation, cytokines production, and chemotaxis.

• Keywords
• IgE receptor, LAT/LAT1, LAX, NTAL/Lab/LAT2, PAG/Cbp, mast cells, plasma membrane, transmembrane adaptor proteins,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH