title: Mast cells in allergic asthma and beyond.
abstract: Mast cells have been regarded for a long time as effector cells in IgE mediated type I reactions and in host defence against parasites. However, they are resident in all environmental exposed tissues and express a wide variety of receptors, suggesting that these cells can also function as sentinels in innate immune responses. Indeed, studies have demonstrated an important role of mast cells during the induction of life-saving antibacterial responses. Furthermore, recent findings have shown that mast cells promote and modulate the development of adaptive immune responses, making them an important hinge of innate and acquired immunity. In addition, mast cells and several mast cell-produced mediators have been shown to be important during the development of allergic airway diseases. In the present review, we will summarize findings on the role of mast cells during the development of adaptive immune responses and highlight their function, especially during the development of allergic asthma.
authors.affiliation: III Medical Clinic, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstr 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany. christian.taube@unimedizin-mainz.de
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reuter
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stassen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taube
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007107:Immune System; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D015289:Leukotrienes; D011453:Prostaglandins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D006632:Histamine; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin