Abstract
Mast cells play multiple roles in protective immunity to infection but also have less desirable roles in autoimmune and allergic conditions. The tissue injury caused by mast-cell activation arises through the release of mediators that perform a range of inflammatory functions, which have been thought to exacerbate the effects of venomous bites or stings. However, Metz et al. manipulated a genetic mast-cell deficiency in mice to show that mast cells can protect against certain snake and bee-sting venoms by releasing carboxypeptidase A, which can break down the most dangerous component of several types of venom. M. Metz, A. M. Piliponsky, C.-C. Chen, V. Lammel, M. Åbrink, G. Pejler, M. Tsai, S. J. Galli, Mast cells can enhance resistance to snake and honeybee venoms. Science 313 , 526-530 (2006). [Abstract] [Full Text] J. Marx, Mast cells defang snake and bee venom. Science 313 , 427 (2006). [Summary] [Full Text]
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