Mast cells as effector cells: a co-stimulating question.
Mast cells are currently recognized as effector cells in many settings beyond just allergic reactions, including innate immunity, autoimmunity, chronic inflammatory disorders and atherosclerosis. Signaling pathways of the mast cell response have been widely explored in the past but these are still linked with single axes, such as the high affinity IgE receptor FcepsilonRI, presumably an exclusive determinant of the magnitude of the response to allergen. By contrast, the T cell receptor is viewed as a rich complex of stimulatory and co-stimulatory molecules, setting an array of thresholds to ensure a highly regulated response. Recent observations show that mast cells express various classes of co-stimulatory molecules that modulate their function. These molecules might therefore contribute to the outcome of mast cell-associated pathologies, and constitute new therapeutic targets in such diseases.
Bachelet
Ido
I
Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
Levi-Schaffer
Francesca
F
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000502:physiology; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000502:physiology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000502:physiology; D054389:Receptors, CCR1; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000502:physiology; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 / Q000502:physiology; D000098862:T Lineage-Specific Activation Antigen 1
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; C515300:CCR1 protein, human; D000098862:T Lineage-Specific Activation Antigen 1; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D016023:Integrins; D054389:Receptors, CCR1; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit