Mast cells and eosinophils in allergy: Close friends or just neighbors

Mast cells are mostly known for their role in allergic diseases although in recent years it has become clear that they have a role in other diseases and in the body's defense against microbes. In most cases, but especially in allergy, eosinophils are present in the tissue within proximity of mast cells. Due to this spatio-temporal correlation we and others have postulated and described a crosstalk between these two cells, mediated via their released mediators and physical interactions, that is able to modulate each other's function and ultimately the outcome of the allergic inflammatory reaction. This review will focus on the functional unit between mast cells and eosinophils that we have named the "Allergic Effector Unit" and specifically highlight its role in allergy.