Saturday, March 26, 2016

Papain protease activity and mast cells, but not IL-33, are necessary for papain allergic sensitization

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme from papaya. Like other protease allergens such house dust mites (HDM) group 1 allergen, Der p 1, papain is allergen that belongs to family of cysteine proteases. Papain can induce skin contact sensitization or airway hyper-reactivity. 


When injected in mouse ear lobes, intact papain, but not protease-inactive papain (E64-papain), induced skin inflammation and IgE production.



Papain induced IgE production after skin challenge depended on presence of functional mast cells as (a) such response was diminished in mast cell–deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv (W/Wv) mice, and (b) such response could be recovered after transfer of WT mast cells. 


However, unlike mast cells, IL-33 was dispensable for IgE production after papain skin [primary] challenge (though IL-33 played the role in lung eosinophil infiltration later on, upon airway re-challenge with intact papain).



In summary, this study indicate that initial skin sensitization with papain required mast cells but not proto-TH2 innate "primer" cytokine IL-33. This knowledge should be incorporated in therapeutic strategies targeting IL-33 pathway (IL-33 and its receptor ST2).

David Usharauli


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