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Research article2006Peer reviewed

Mast cells can enhance resistance to snake and honeybee venoms

Metz M, Piliponsky AM, Chen CC, Lammel V, Abrink M, Pejler G, Tsai M, Galli SJ

Abstract

Snake or honeybee envenomation can cause substantial morbidity and mortality, and it has been proposed that the activation of mast cells by snake or insect venoms can contribute to these effects. We show, in contrast, that mast cells can significantly reduce snake-venom - induced pathology in mice, at least in part by releasing carboxypeptidase A and possibly other proteases, which can degrade venom components. Mast cells also significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality induced by honeybee venom. These findings identify a new biological function for mast cells in enhancing resistance to the morbidity and mortality induced by animal venoms

Published in

Science
2006, Volume: 313, number: 5786, pages: 526-530
Publisher: AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE

      SLU Authors

    • Pejler, Gunnar

      • Department of Molecular Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

      • UKÄ Subject classification

      Veterinary Science
      Animal and Dairy Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1128877

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/10689