Cited by 57Mast cells and histamineVenomous Animal Envenomation and StudiesFood Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 116 of the 116 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 145 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Mast cells and IgE in defense against lethality of venoms: Possible “benefit” of allergy

Open access

Abstract

Physicians think of mast cells and IgE primarily in the context of allergic disorders, including fatal anaphylaxis. This 'bad side' of mast cells and IgE is so well accepted that it can be difficult to think of them in other contexts, particularly those in which they may have beneficial functions. However, there is evidence that mast cells and IgE, as well as basophils (circulating granulocytes whose functions partially overlap with those of mast cells), can contribute to host defense as components of adaptive type 2 immune responses to helminths, ticks and certain other parasites. Accordingly, allergies often are conceptualized as "misdirected" type 2 immune responses, in which IgE antibodies are produced against any of a diverse group of apparently harmless antigens, and against components of animal venoms. Indeed, certain unfortunate patients who have become sensitized to venoms develop severe IgE-associated allergic reactions, including fatal anaphylaxis, upon subsequent venom exposure. In this review, we will describe evidence that mast cells can enhance innate resistance, and survival, to challenge with reptile or arthropod venoms during a first exposure to such venoms. We also will discuss findings indicating that, in mice surviving an initial encounter with venom, acquired type 2 immune responses, IgE antibodies, the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI), and mast cells can contribute to acquired resistance to the lethal effects of both honeybee venom and Russell's viper venom. These findings support the hypothesis that mast cells and IgE can help protect the host against venoms and perhaps other noxious substances.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review argues that mast cells and IgE, best known for allergic pathology, can also enhance innate and acquired resistance to animal venoms in mice. It synthesizes evidence that mast-cell proteases detoxify some venom components and that IgE/FcεRI/mast-cell responses can protect against honeybee and Russell’s viper venom, while noting unresolved questions.

Key findings

  • Mast cells can enhance innate resistance to venoms from 4 species of poisonous snakes, the Gila monster, 2 scorpions, and the honeybee; mast-cell CPA3 detoxifies ET-1/sarafotoxin 6b, and chymase mMCP4 detoxifies VIP/helodermin and Gila monster/scorpion venoms. Human mast cell tryptase also reduced toxicity of venoms from six poisonous snakes in embryonic zebrafish assays.
  • Acquired type 2 immune responses to honeybee venom or Russell’s viper venom increase survival against otherwise lethal challenge; resistance was transferable with 250 µL of immune serum, lost after IgE depletion by anti-IgE or heating at 56°C for 1 hour, and absent in IgE-deficient or FcεRI-deficient mice.
  • Local IgE plus antigen (DNP-HSA) increased resistance to Russell’s viper venom admixed with DNP-HSA in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, whereas anti-DNP IgG1 or IgG2b did not protect and increased early hypothermia.
  • Historical guinea pig studies showed anti-basophil serum ablated acquired resistance to *Amblyomma americanum* tick feeding; later mouse studies implicated mast cells, basophils, and IgE in acquired immunity to *Haemaphysalis longicornis*, with basophils possibly more important for *Dermacentor variabilis*.

Methods

  • Narrative review, not a primary experimental report; it synthesizes prior studies from the authors and others.
  • Evidence base includes mouse genetic models: mast cell-deficient/knock-in mice (WBB6F1-KitW/KitW-v, C57BL/6-KitW-sh/KitW-sh, C57BL/6-Cpa3-Cre+-Mcl-1fl/fl), IgE-deficient and FcεRI-deficient mice, protease-deficient or catalytically inactive CPA3 mice, passive serum transfer, venom challenge, and local IgE sensitization.
  • Also cites in vitro embryonic zebrafish assays for human mast cell proteases and historical guinea pig basophil-depletion studies.

Limitations

  • Stated: many unresolved questions remain, including whether mechanisms beyond protease release contribute, how venoms induce Th2/IgE responses, the evolutionary importance of ectoparasites/helminths/venomous animals, whether basophils contribute to venom resistance, and why some subjects develop fatal anaphylaxis rather than protection.
  • Stated: proving that IgE, mast cells, or basophils dramatically influence survival of parasite-infected animals is challenging; prior parasite studies generally did not analyze overall survival or reproductive success, and some findings suggest effects may favor the parasite.
  • Stated/evident: mouse model caveats—each mast cell/basophil deficiency model has features that must be considered, roles may vary by model strength and strain background, and the authors recommend using more than one genetic model; most venom-protection evidence is in mice, with human relevance largely inferential.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s40629-020-00118-6

Cites

116 of 116 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

43 Check pending · 26 No full text of the sources · 12 Own interpretation · 6 Not checked yet · 1 Own result

Verify all 67 references — free account
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 23
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 10
30 of 30
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Findings in mice about mast cells, IgE, and venom resistance are relevant to human allergy and venom defense.

    “These findings support the hypothesis that mast cells and IgE can help protect the host against venoms and perhaps other noxious substances.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The venoms used in mouse experiments are representative of animal venoms that threaten humans.

    “our initial evidence indicated that mast cells can increase the innate resistance of mice upon their first exposure to the venoms of 3 species of poisonous snakes, the Gila monster, the honeybee, or two especially dangerous scorpions.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Vertebrates have been subjected to evolutionary pressure through millions of years of co-evolution with venomous arthropods, reptiles, and other species.

    “However, in addition to parasites, vertebrates also have been subjected to evolutionary pressure through millions of years of co-evolution with venomous arthropods, reptiles, and other species.”
3 of 3

Citations

Cites

Show all 116 references

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Portier MM, Richet C. De l’action anaphylactique de certains venims. C R Seances Soc Biol Fil. 1902;54:170–2.

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Metadata

Authors
Galli, S. J., Metz, M., Starkl, P., Marichal, T., & Tsai, M.
Affiliations
  • Stanford Medicine (US)
  • Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
  • Austrian Academy of Sciences (AT)
  • University of Liège (BE)
Corresponding author
Galli, Stephen J.
Venue
Allergo Journal International
Published
2020-03
Volume
29
Issue
2
Pages
46-62
ISSN
2197-0378 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3009230457
Cited by
57
References
116
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 1
FWCI
2.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Allergo Journal International (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • ORBi (University of Liège) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA072074)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R01AI023990, R37AI023990, U19AI104209)
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01AR067145)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Mast cells and histamine
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Immunology and Allergy › Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research
Keywords
mast cells, IgE, venom resistance, anaphylaxis, Th2 immune response, FcεRI, basophils, honey bee venom, Russell's viper venom, helminth immunity, tick immunity, adaptive immunity, innate immunity, allergy

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