Mast Cells Promote the Development of CD103+ Regulatory T cells

Mast cells (MCs) and dendritic cells (DCs) are components of the innate immune system and also play a significant role in acquired immunity. Because MCs are often found in close physical contact with DCs in the skin and the mucosal surfaces, the preferential sites of pathogen entry and antigen (Ag) exposure, we have hypothesized that the ability of certain Ags to directly activate MCs affect the migration/maturation of the DCs capturing that Ag and thereby regulate the nature of the subsequent primary T cell response.