title: Roles and relevance of mast cells in infection and vaccination.
abstract: In addition to their well-established role in allergy mast cells have been described as contributing to functional regulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses in host defense. Mast cells are of hematopoietic origin but typically complete their differentiation in tissues where they express immune regulatory functions by releasing diverse mediators and cytokines. Mast cells are abundant at mucosal tissues which are portals of entry for common infectious agents in addition to allergens. Here, we review the current understanding of the participation of mast cells in defense against infection. We also discuss possibilities of exploiting mast cell activation to provide adequate adjuvant activity that is needed in high-quality vaccination against infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Research Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden. zou.xiang@gu.se.
authors.forename: Zou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiang
keywords: adjuvant; host defense; infection; mast cell; vaccine