Mast cells as a sensor: Enigmatic immune cells help to avoid harmful allergens

The function of mast cells, which are part of the immune system, is still a mystery. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now shown that in mice mast cells function as a sensor that signals the animals to avoid antigens, including harmful allergens, which allow the mice to protect themselves from health-threatening inflammatory reactions. These findings were published in the journal Nature.