Figure 1.

Early phase and late phase of allergic hypersensitivity. Upon allergen challenge, sensitized individuals can present two distinct phases: the early phase, which is characterized by mast cell degranulation and release of inflammatory mediators triggered by cross-linking IgE antibodies present on mast cells membranes, and the late phase, that is characterized by the infiltration of Th2 cells that interact with dendritic cells releasing type 2 cytokines responsible for tissue mast cell proliferation and eosinophil recruitment.