Figure 1.

MC induced contact independent mechanisms of immune suppression. Mast cells provide a wide range of mediators that can potentially suppress the immune response. Studies addressing these molecules have shown different modes of action targeting several aspect of inflammation. Broadly these can be categorized by (1) modulation of the inflammation inducing factors, like allergens or venoms, and recruitment of other leukocytes (red), (2) suppression of T-cell responses and/or induction of T^reg (blue) or (3) changing DC function (green).