Tuft cells - the immunological interface and role in disease regulation.

Abstract

Tuft cells, also known as taste chemosensory cells, accumulate during parasite colonization or infection and have powerful immunomodulatory effects on substances that could be detrimental, as well as possible anti-inflammatory or antibacterial effects. Tuft cells are the primary source of interleukin (IL)-25. They trigger extra Innate lymphoid type-2 cells (ILC2) in the intestinal lamina propria to create cytokines (type 2); for instance, IL-13, which leads to an increase in IL-25. As tuft cells can produce biological effector molecules, such as IL-25 and eicosanoids involved in allergy (for example, cysteinyl leukotrienes and prostaglandin D2) and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Following parasite infection, tuft cells require transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 5 (TRPM5)-dependent chemosensation to produce responses. Secretory tuft cells provide a physical mucus barrier against the external environment and therefore have vital defensive roles against diseases by supporting tissue maintenance and repair. In addition to recent research on tuft cells, more studies are required to understand the distribution, cell turnover, molecular characteristics, responses in various species, involvement in immunological function across tissues, and most importantly, the mechanism involved in the control of various diseases.