Sodium Butyrate and Calcium Phosphate Influence on Transformed Human Mast Cells

• Author / Creator

  Verma, Nishita Hiresha

• Mast cells (MCs) are crucial components of the innate immune system, playing a significant role in immune responses to allergens and pathogens. These sentinel cells are primarily located at interfaces between the external environment and the body and can be categorized into connective tissue MCs and mucosal MCs. MRGPRX2 is a G protein-coupled receptor that plays a key role in MC activation, particularly in response to certain drugs, peptides, and endogenous compounds. Recent studies have shown that MRGPRX2 can mediate pseudo-allergic reactions and contribute to MC-related diseases. Sodium Butyrate (NaBu) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by altering gene expression and promoting regulatory T-cell differentiation. Calcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2) has been shown to be vital to calcium signaling and immune response modulation. It is thought that MRGPRX2 receptors are modulated in the presence of these compounds because of their known roles in immune regulation. We hypothesize that the introduction of these two compounds will modulate MRGPRX2-mediated activation in HMC-1.2 cells. The HMC-1.2 cell line was used since these cells have MRGPRX2 receptors. This hypothesis was tested by introducing HMC-1.2 cells to these compounds in a dose-dependent manner and characterizing cell viability, proliferation, and degranulation. It was found that NaBu did not affect MRGPRX2-mediated degranulation or cell viability but inhibited cell proliferation, suggesting selective modulation of immune responses without compromising essential MC functions. Moreover, Ca3(PO4)2 did not significantly impact MRGPRX2- mediated degranulation but did exhibit a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation, suggesting an influence on cellular growth without MRGPRX2 response. Our results did not confirm our hypothesis, as they did not lead to MRGPRX2-mediated responses in HMC-1.2 cells. That said, these findings did show an inhibition of cell proliferation that may be applicable to managing inflammatory and allergic diseases. Further research is recommended to explore the precise pathways and conditions under which these compounds can modulate immune cell function, particularly focusing on different immune cell types and receptor-specific pathways.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Mast Cells
  • MRGPRX2
  • Sodium Butyrate
  • Calcium Phosphate
  • Immune Response

• Graduation date

  Fall 2024

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-116g-y564

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Library with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.