title: Mast cells, basophils and B cell connection network.
abstract: It has been proven that both resting and activated mast cells (MCs) and basophils are able to induce a significant increase in proliferation and survival of naïve and activated B cells, and their differentiation into antibody-producing cells. The immunological context in which this regulation occurs is of particular interest and the idea that these innate cells induce antibody class switching and production is increasingly gaining ground. This direct role of MCs and basophils in acquired immunity requires cell to cell contact as well as soluble factors and exosomes. Here, we review our current understanding of the interaction between B cells and MCs or basophils as well as the evidence supporting B lymphocyte-MC/basophil crosstalk in pathological settings. Furthermore, we underline the obscure aspects of this interaction that could serve as important starting points for future research in the field of MC and basophil biology in the peculiar context of the connection between innate and adaptive immunity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, San Antonio Hospital, 33028 Tolmezzo, Italy.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merluzzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Biological Science, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Betto
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Biological Science, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Alice Amaranta
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ceccaroni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Biological Science, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Magris
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy. Electronic address: marina.giunta@uniud.it.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giunta
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Biological Science, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mion
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D055354:Exosomes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines
keywords: B cells; Basophils; Mast cells