Lipoteichoic acid improves the capability of mast cells in the host defense system against bacteria.

Objectives And Design: We investigated the effects of microbial components on the uptake of microbes by mast cells (MCs), and studied the change in cytokine production in MCs after bacterial uptake.

Material Or Subjects: LAD2 human mast cells, cord-blood and peripheral-blood derived MCs were employed to analyze their surface molecule expression and cytokine generation by flow cytometry. Bacterial internalization in these MCs was observed by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.

Lipoteichoic acid downregulates FcepsilonRI expression on human mast cells through Toll-like receptor 2.

Background: FcepsilonRI on the surface of mast cells (MCs) plays a central role in allergic responses. Recent evidence shows that exposure to microbial components corresponds with a significant reduction in the risk for allergic diseases. Although many reports suggest that this is due to changes in T-cell functions, how MC functions are altered by bacterial infection remains unknown.