Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) mediate the progression of inflammatory diseases. However, the involvement of EAATs in the activation of mast cells (MCs) and MC-associated diseases remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that EAAT2 expression (encoded by Slc1a2 ) directed by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI)-p38 signaling is indispensable for MC degranulation through osteopontin (OPN, encoded by Spp1 ). Mechanistically, EAAT2 regulates intracellular glutamate/alpha-ketoglutarate/reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism to reduce the DNA and histone H3K9 methylation of Spp1 . Most importantly, MC-specific depletion of Slc1a2 alleviates the allergic response in mice, and EAAT2 expression is positively correlated with MC-associated diseases in humans. Taken together, our findings establish a mechanistic link between amino acid transporters and epigenetic modifications with MC activation and provide potential therapeutic targets for allergic diseases.
Gan et al. (Tue,) studied this question.