|
|
Article: Study shows mast cells linked to asthma and eczema can help cure sepsis in mice.
- Article from:
- Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week
- Article date:
- December 18, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 NewsRX. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
2004 DEC 18 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Mast cells are immune cells known mostly for their unwanted effects: they cause the wheezing of asthma, the itching of eczema, the sneezing and runny nose of hay fever and, in extreme cases, the life-threatening shock of anaphylaxis.
Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine, however, have found that these cells also have some beneficial effects.
Stephen Galli, MD, the Mary Hewitt Loveless, MD, professor and chair of pathology, and his colleagues have shown for the first time that mast cells can provide protection from a potentially deadly condition known as sepsis by destroying a molecule that ...