Histamine-releasing factor has a proinflammatory role in mouse models of asthma and allergy

J Clin Invest. 2012 Jan;122(1):218-28. doi: 10.1172/JCI59072. Epub 2011 Dec 1.

Abstract

IgE-mediated activation of mast cells and basophils underlies allergic diseases such as asthma. Histamine-releasing factor (HRF; also known as translationally controlled tumor protein [TCTP] and fortilin) has been implicated in late-phase allergic reactions (LPRs) and chronic allergic inflammation, but its functions during asthma are not well understood. Here, we identified a subset of IgE and IgG antibodies as HRF-interacting molecules in vitro. HRF was able to dimerize and bind to Igs via interactions of its N-terminal and internal regions with the Fab region of Igs. Therefore, HRF together with HRF-reactive IgE was able to activate mast cells in vitro. In mouse models of asthma and allergy, Ig-interacting HRF peptides that were shown to block HRF/Ig interactions in vitro inhibited IgE/HRF-induced mast cell activation and in vivo cutaneous anaphylaxis and airway inflammation. Intranasally administered HRF recruited inflammatory immune cells to the lung in naive mice in a mast cell- and Fc receptor-dependent manner. These results indicate that HRF has a proinflammatory role in asthma and skin immediate hypersensitivity, leading us to suggest HRF as a potential therapeutic target.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / etiology*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / prevention & control
  • Basophils / immunology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / chemistry
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / immunology*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / physiology
  • Dimerization
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Hypersensitivity / etiology*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin E / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Inflammation Mediators / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Inflammation Mediators / chemistry
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology*
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology
  • Mast Cells / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis / immunology
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Tpt1 protein, mouse
  • Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1
  • Immunoglobulin E