title: Mast cells in autoimmune disease.
abstract: Mast cells are known to be the primary responders in allergic reactions, orchestrating strong responses to minute amounts of allergens. Several recent observations indicate that they may also have a key role in coordinating the early phases of autoimmune diseases, particularly those involving auto-antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. cbdm@joslin.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benoist
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mathis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology