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Related Concept Videos

Antibody Structure01:10

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Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
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Allergic Drug Reactions01:27

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Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...
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Investigating Mast Cell Secretory Granules; from Biosynthesis to Exocytosis
16:01

Investigating Mast Cell Secretory Granules; from Biosynthesis to Exocytosis

Published on: January 26, 2015

Mast cells: beyond IgE.

Joshua A Boyce1

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston 02199, USA.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|January 18, 2003
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mast cells perform protective functions by recognizing pathogens and initiating repair. However, TH2 inflammation can alter their behavior, potentially leading to harmful inflammatory responses from minor triggers.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Allergy Research

Background:

  • Mast cells are traditionally known for hypersensitivity reactions.
  • They also play crucial roles in host defense and tissue homeostasis.
  • Mast cells recognize microbial products and tissue injury signals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dual role of mast cells in immunity and inflammation.
  • To explore how TH2-polarized inflammation influences mast cell function.
  • To understand nonclassical mast cell activation pathways relevant to drug development.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro studies on mast cell activation by various stimuli.
  • Analysis of TH2 cytokine effects on mast cell proliferation and gene expression.
  • Investigation of IL-4 priming on mast cell responses to innate and chemical signals.

Main Results:

  • Mast cells activate in response to a broad range of microbes and tissue injury products.
  • TH2 cytokines, particularly IL-4, promote mast cell hyperplasia and alter their activation profile.
  • IL-4 primes mast cells to respond to cysteinyl leukotrienes, inducing cytokine release without exocytosis.

Conclusions:

  • Mast cells have multifaceted roles beyond hypersensitivity, including crucial protective functions.
  • TH2 inflammation can reprogram mast cells, potentially leading to pathological inflammation.
  • Drug development must consider these altered mast cell activation pathways to maintain beneficial functions.