Mast cells mediate neutrophil recruitment and vascular leakage through the NLRP3 inflammasome in histamine-independent urticaria

J Exp Med. 2009 May 11;206(5):1037-46. doi: 10.1084/jem.20082179. Epub 2009 Apr 13.

Abstract

Urticarial rash observed in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) caused by nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-leucine-rich repeats containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) mutations is effectively suppressed by anti-interleukin (IL)-1 treatment, suggesting a pathophysiological role of IL-1beta in the skin. However, the cellular mechanisms regulating IL-1beta production in the skin of CAPS patients remain unclear. We identified mast cells (MCs) as the main cell population responsible for IL-1beta production in the skin of CAPS patients. Unlike normal MCs that required stimulation with proinflammatory stimuli for IL-1beta production, resident MCs from CAPS patients constitutively produced IL-1beta. Primary MCs expressed inflammasome components and secreted IL-1beta via NLRP3 and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain when stimulated with microbial stimuli known to activate caspase-1. Furthermore, MCs expressing disease-associated but not wild-type NLRP3 secreted IL-1beta and induced neutrophil migration and vascular leakage, the histological hallmarks of urticarial rash, when transplanted into mouse skin. Our findings implicate MCs as IL-1beta producers in the skin and mediators of histamine-independent urticaria through the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminoquinolines / pharmacology
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / genetics*
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / immunology
  • Histamine / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Imiquimod
  • Interferon Inducers / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Mast Cells / immunology*
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • Neutrophil Infiltration / immunology*
  • Neutrophils / physiology
  • Skin Diseases / genetics
  • Skin Diseases / immunology*
  • Urticaria / chemically induced
  • Urticaria / genetics
  • Urticaria / immunology*

Substances

  • Aminoquinolines
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Interferon Inducers
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • Histamine
  • Caspases
  • Imiquimod