Optimizing clinical practice today while pondering an extraordinary immune system

In this issue of the Annals, Theoharides et al1 present a thought-provoking review on an extended scope of practice for the allergist-immunologist of tomorrow. The authors highlighted that although mast cells have traditionally been compartmentalized to a narrow pathway of IgE engagement and release of a limited scope of mediators (eg, histamine and tryptase), in fact these cells are pleiotropic and active across organs systems.1 Mast cell activation mediators are quite diverse and include tumor necrosis factor and mitochondrial DNA acting as an alarmin, chemokines, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor beta.
Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research