Constitutively high levels of endogenous soluble ST2 inhibit food allergic responses in mice

M Mayuki Kojima (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) K Kumi Izawa (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) T Tomoaki Ando (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) K Keiko Maeda (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) A Ayako Kaitani (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) N Nobuhiro Nakano (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) R Risa Yamamoto (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) S Shunichi Miyazaki (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) M Mayu Shinagawa (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) M Mio Sasaki (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) A Anna Kamei (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) A Akie Maehara (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) N Naoko Negishi (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) H Hiromichi Yamada (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) S Shino Uchida (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) E Eisuke Inage (Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) Y Yoshikazu Ohtsuka (Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) S Susumu Nakae (Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University) H Hideoki Ogawa (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) K Ko Okumura (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) H Hiromichi Shoji (Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) T Toshiaki Shimizu (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine) J Jiro Kitaura (Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine)

Abstract

IL-33-induced signals via membrane-bound ST2 (ST2L) are critical for allergies. However, the physiological role of endogenous soluble ST2 (sST2) remains elusive. Here, we generated sST2-deficient mice with intact ST2L using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Skin fibroblasts constitutively released sST2 protein at extremely high levels compared to mast cells, which did not reflect the expression levels of sST2 mRNA. This discrepancy can be partly explained by the sST2 protein degradation mediated by mast cell proteases. Accordingly, sST2 deficiency did not affect IL-33- and/or IgE plus antigen-stimulated mast cell activation in vitro. We provided evidence that constitutively high levels of sST2 suppress food allergies in mice by inhibiting IL-33-dependent, both expansion of jejunum mast cells and enhancement of their degranulation. Analysis of bone marrow chimeric mice under steady-state conditions showed that circulating sST2 was derived almost equally from hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. Increased circulating sST2 in food-allergic mice was possibly and partly derived from fibroblasts stimulated by locally released IL-4 and IL-13. In conclusion, endogenous sST2 contributes to the suppression of food allergies.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 2
Published January 13, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (23)

M

Mayuki Kojima

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

K

Kumi Izawa

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

T

Tomoaki Ando

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

K

Keiko Maeda

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

A

Ayako Kaitani

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

N

Nobuhiro Nakano

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

R

Risa Yamamoto

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

S

Shunichi Miyazaki

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

M

Mayu Shinagawa

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

M

Mio Sasaki

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

A

Anna Kamei

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

A

Akie Maehara

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

N

Naoko Negishi

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

H

Hiromichi Yamada

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

S

Shino Uchida

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

E

Eisuke Inage

Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

Y

Yoshikazu Ohtsuka

Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

S

Susumu Nakae

Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University

H

Hideoki Ogawa

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

K

Ko Okumura

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

H

Hiromichi Shoji

Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

T

Toshiaki Shimizu

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine

J

Jiro Kitaura

Atopy (Allergy) Research Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine