During an allergic response, some immune cells digest others

Certain immune cells backstab their cellular coworkers during allergic reactions.

Mast cells, the security patrols of the immune system, can trigger allergic inflammation when they run into unfamiliar proteins (SN: 9/5/07). For the first time, researchers have seen these overeager cells attract and trap other key immune cells, then expel their hostages’ inflammatory chemicals in a process dubbed nexocytosis. The discovery may help scientists understand the root causes of health conditions involving allergies or the immune system, such as asthma and dermatitis.

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