Role of CC chemokines and their receptors in multiple aspects of mast cell biology: comparative protein profiling of FcepsilonRI- and/or CCR1-engaged mast cells using protein chip technology.

Apart from the FcepsilonRI-mediated mechanism, mast cells are activated by chemokines. Evidence has accumulated indicating that there is cross-talk between the FcepsilonRI-mediated signalling pathway and CC chemokine receptor (CCR)-mediated signalling pathways in mast cells. We have found that costimulation with IgE/antigen and CC chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) enhances degranulation but inhibits chemotaxis of rat basophilic leukaemia (RBL)-2H3 cells expressing human CCR1 (RBL-CCR1 cells). We hypothesize that this signalling cross-talk in mast cells may play important roles in the orchestration and focusing of the allergic response. In this study, we have sought information about global protein networks either enhanced or inhibited following cross-talk between the FcepsilonRI-mediated and CCR-mediated signalling pathways in mast cells. We believe this information may be useful for providing an understanding of mast cell function and in the establishment of new anti-inflammatory drugs for allergic diseases. Proteomics is a promising tool for studying protein profiles within biological samples and facilitates an understanding of the complex responses of an organism to a stimulus. Here, we show comparative data of protein profiles derived from FcepsilonRI-engaged and/or CCR1-engaged RBL-CCR1 cells using protein chip array technology, a proteomic technology. We also discuss our view of the role of CC chemokines and CCRs in regulating multiple aspects of mast cell biology.