Objective: To isolate and induce human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells to differentiate into mature mast cells of high purity.
Methods: Human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells were differentiated into mature mast cells by the treatment of recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF) and recombinant human interleukin 6 (rhIL-6). The cultured cells at different time points were stained with toluidine blue for the detection of anti-FcepsilonRI and the maturity of mast cells was detected by flow cytometry. After the mature mast cells were stimulated with allergen, the levels of histamine and tryptase in the supernatant were determined.
Results: The cells started to express FcepsilonRI receptor after 2-week treatment of rhSCF and rhIL-6. After 3 weeks, the amount of FcepsilonRI receptor reached its peak accompanied by increased intracellular basophilic granules. The mature mast cells released tryptase and histamine effectively after allergen challenge.
Conclusion: Human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells can be differentiated into mature mast cells by the treatment of rhSCF and rhIL-6. The mature mast cells may be used for the study of allergenicity in vitro.