FcεRI expression and function is a central aspect of allergic disease. Using bone marrow-derived mouse mast cell populations, we have previously shown that the Th2 cytokine IL-4 inhibits FcεRI expression and function. In the current study we show that the Th2 cytokine IL-10 has similar regulatory properties, and that it augments the inhibitory effects of IL-4. FcεRI down-regulation was functionally significant, as it diminished inflammatory cytokine production and IgE-mediated FcεRI up-regulation. IL-10 and IL-4 reduced FcεRI β protein expression without altering the α or γ subunits. The ability of IL-4 and IL-10 to alter FcεRI expression by targeting the β-chain, a critical receptor subunit known to modulate receptor expression and signaling, suggests the presence of a Th2 cytokine-mediated homeostatic network that could serve to both initiate and limit mast cell effector function.

Preeclampsia (PE) causes serious harm to the health of mothers and infants. PTEN regulates cell biological behaviors, but its role in preeclampsia have not been reported. Real time PCR and Western blot detected PTEN level in the placenta of PE patients and controls. Placental trophoblastderived cell line HTR8 was assigned into NC group, PTEN group and si-PTEN inhibitor group followed by measuring PTEN level, cell proliferation by MTT assay, cell invasion by Transwell, Caspase 3 activity, Beclin-1 and Atg-5 expression as well as PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling protein by Western blot. PTEN in PE patients was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). Transfection of PTEN siRNA significantly down-regulated PTEN, promoted cell proliferation and invasion, reduced Caspase 3 activity, increased Beclin-1 and Atg-5, and PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α/VEGF protein expression (P < 0.05). Transfection of pcDNA 3.0-PTEN up-regulated PTEN and significantly reversed the above changes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, PTEN is reduced in PE and it can regulate pre-eclampsia trophoblast autophagy possibly through PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling, suggesting that PTEN can be a potential target for PE therapy.