Activated Mast Cells Mediate Low-Grade Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes: IL-37 Could be Beneficial

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2018 Source:Canadian Journal of Diabetes Author(s): Pio Conti, Gianpaolo Ronconi, Spyridon K. Kritas, Alessandro Caraffa, Theoharis C. Theoharides Mast cells (MCs) promote guest immune response against parasites and play a critical role in allergic and inflammatory reactions. Once they have been activated, MCs release high inflammatory compounds that can provoke serious pathological signs that can even lead to death. MCs generate a number of pre-formed, de novo synthesized compounds, and inflammatory cytokine/chemokine synthesis in response to the high affinity (Kd=10-10 M) IgE receptor triggering. Circulating MC progenitors migrate into arterial intima and develop lesions, mediating inflammation. They are involved in several disorders including metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) where endothelial cells release several inflammatory compounds during acute and chronic vascular damage. Certain inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-33, not only are produced by MCs, but also may activate them. These effects mediate systemic inflammatory response in metabolic disorders. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF, IL-33 and IL-6, secreted by MCs and other immune cells, contribute to insulin resistance by activating kinases. IL-37 (IL-1 family member 7), one of the latest cytokines discovered, binds IL-18 receptor alpha (IL-18Rα) chain and suppresses innate and acquired immunity, with a th...
Source: Canadian Journal of Diabetes - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research