Allergic diseases affect a significant portion of the population.
Many of these diseases, including asthma, food allergies, hay fever, and systemic anaphylaxis, are due to excessive activity of mast cells. Mast cells are granulated leukocytes that when activated can release a wide range of mediators and cytokines, which in turn can lead to many of the symptoms that characterize allergic disease. Our laboratory is studying the role of mast cells in allergic disease. We have shown that these cytokines can diminish the ability of mast cells to become activated and can reduce mast cell viability, and therefore that they may be key players in regulating allergic disease. Recently, our focus has shifted to cancer study.