| First Author | Becker M | Year | 2011 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 186 |
| Issue | 12 | Pages | 7225-31 |
| PubMed ID | 21572035 | Mgi Jnum | J:175477 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5285786 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.1100676 |
| Citation | Becker M, et al. (2011) Genetic variation determines mast cell functions in experimental asthma. J Immunol 186(12):7225-31 |
| abstractText | Mast cell-deficient mice are a key for investigating the function of mast cells in health and disease. Allergic airway disease induced as a Th2-type immune response in mice is employed as a model to unravel the mechanisms underlying inception and progression of human allergic asthma. Previous work done in mast cell-deficient mouse strains that otherwise typically mount Th1-dominated immune responses revealed contradictory results as to whether mast cells contribute to the development of airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation. However, a major contribution of mast cells was shown using adjuvant-free protocols to achieve sensitization. The identification of a traceable genetic polymorphism closely linked to the Kit(W-sh) allele allowed us to generate congenic mast cell-deficient mice on a Th2-prone BALB/c background, termed C.B6-Kit(W-sh). In accordance with the expectations, C.B6-Kit(W-sh) mice do not develop IgE- and mast cell-dependent passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Yet, unexpectedly, C.B6-Kit(W-sh) mice develop full-blown airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and mucus production despite the absence of mast cells. Thus, our findings demonstrate a major influence of genetic background on the contribution of mast cells in an important disease model and introduce a novel strain of mast cell-deficient mice. |
