Mucosal T cells and mast cells share common adhesion receptors.
Mast cells and T cells share common homing/adhesion receptors, which suggests that they have evolved to use similar trafficking pathways. Furthermore, these cells have been shown to co-localize in the gastrointestinal mucosa, and it is possible that they act in concert to achieve an immune response. Here, Tracey Smith and John Weis discuss the implications of this potential collaboration.
Smith
T J
TJ
Dept of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
Weis
J H
JH
D000818:Animals; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules