Mast cells and the adaptive immune response.
BACKGROUND
The idea that the innate and adaptive immune systems are not separate entities is no longer new. In fact, it is surprising that this paradigm was accepted without question for so long. Many innate cells express cell surface molecules and soluble mediators that are essential for the development and activation of T cells and B cells. Yet among the innate cell populations, mast cells may play the major role in regulating adaptive immune cell function.


CONCLUSIONS
This role first came to light in studies of mast cells and their involvement in the autoimmune disease experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, the major rodent model of multiple sclerosis and has subsequently been verified in many in vitro and in vivo model systems.
Brown
Melissa A
MA
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. m-brown12@northwestern.edu
Sayed
Blayne A
BA
Christy
Alison
A
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D007110:Immunity, Active; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000276:immunology*; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D017455:Receptors, IgE; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit