Mast cell surfaceome characterization reveals CD98 heavy chain is critical for optimal cell function.

Background: Mast cells are involved in many distinct pathologic conditions, suggesting that they recognize and respond to various stimuli and thus require a rich repertoire of cell surface proteins. However, mast cell surface proteomes have not been comprehensively characterized.

Objective: We aimed to further characterize the mast cell surface proteome to obtain a better understanding of how mast cells function in health and disease.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin protects in a model of airway damage and inflammation via regulation of caspase-1 activity and apoptosis inhibition.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelial cell-derived cytokine, exhibits both pro-inflammatory and pro-homeostatic properties depending on the context and tissues in which it is expressed. It remains unknown whether TSLP has a similar dual role in the airways, where TSLP is known to promote allergic inflammation. Here we show that TSLP receptor (TSLPR)-deficient mice (Tslpr) and mice treated with anti-TSLP antibodies exhibited increased airway inflammation and morbidity rates after bleomycin-induced tissue damage.

Mast Cells in Viral, Bacterial, and Fungal Infection Immunity.

Mast cells are granule-rich immune cells that are distributed throughout the body in areas where microorganisms typically reside, such as mucosal tissues and the skin, as well as connective tissues. It is well known that mast cells have significant roles in IgE-mediated conditions, such as anaphylaxis, but, because of their location, it is also thought that mast cells act as innate immune cells against pathogens and initiate defensive immune responses. In this review, we discuss recent studies focused on mast cell interactions with flaviviruses and , and mast cell function in the cecal ligation and puncture model of sepsis.

Variation in common lipid parameters in malaria infected patients.

The heart is remarkably resilient even in the face of heavy parasite sequestration and other vital organ dysfunction, and deaths from cardiac arrhythmias in severe malaria are rare. Malaria may prove fatal for patients with pre-existing cardiac failure due to valvular stenosis or myocardial disease. High grade fever, parasitaemia, and fluid overload can all contribute to the problem.