Background: Mast cells (MCs) are best known as key effector cells of allergic reactions, but they also play an important role in host defense against pathogens. Despite increasing evidence for a critical effect of MCs on adaptive immunity, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Objective: Here we monitored MC intercellular communication with dendritic cells (DCs), MC activation, and degranulation and tracked the fate of exocytosed mast cell granules (MCGs) during skin inflammation. Methods: Using a strategy to stain intracellular MCGs in vivo, we tracked the MCG fate after skin inflammation-induced MC degranulation. Furthermore, exogenous MCGs were applied to MC-deficient mice by means of intradermal injection. MCG effects on DC functionality and adaptive immune responses
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