Direct development of functionally mature tryptase/chymase double-positive connective tissue-type mast cells from primate embryonic stem cells

Stem Cells. 2008 Mar;26(3):706-14. doi: 10.1634/stemcells.2007-0348. Epub 2007 Nov 8.

Abstract

Conditions that influence the selective development or recruitment of connective tissue-type and mucosal-type mast cells (MCs) are not well understood. Here, we report that cynomolgus monkey embryonic stem (ES) cells cocultured with the murine aorta-gonad-mesonephros-derived stromal cell line AGM-S1 differentiated into cobblestone (CS)-like cells by day 10-15. When replated onto fresh AGM-S1 with the addition of stem cell factor, interleukin-6, and Flt3 ligand, these CS-like cells displayed robust growth and generated almost 100% tryptase/chymase double-positive MCs within 3 weeks. At all time points, the percentage of tryptase-positive cells did not exceed that of chymase-positive cells. These ES-derived MCs were CD45+/Kit+/CD31+/CD203c+/HLA-DR- and coexpressed a high-affinity IgE receptor on their surface, which was upregulated after IgE exposure. Electron microscopy showed that they contained many electron dense granules. Moreover, ES-derived MCs responded to stimulation by via IgE and substance P by releasing histamine. These results indicate that ES-derived MCs have the phenotype of functionally mature connective tissue-type MCs. The rapid maturation of ES-derived MCs suggests a unique embryonic pathway in primates for early development of connective tissue-type MCs, which may be independent from the developmental pathway of mucosal-type MCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chymases / metabolism*
  • Coculture Techniques / methods*
  • Cytokines / pharmacology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Histamine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Mast Cells / cytology*
  • Mast Cells / drug effects
  • Mast Cells / enzymology*
  • Mice
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Phenotype
  • Primates
  • Substance P / metabolism
  • Tryptases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Substance P
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Histamine
  • Chymases
  • Tryptases