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Nature 420, 875-878 (19 December 2002) | doi:10.1038/nature01324

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progress Mast cells in autoimmune disease

Christophe Benoist & Diane Mathis

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Mast cells are known to be the primary responders in allergic reactions, orchestrating strong responses to minute amounts of allergens. Several recent observations indicate that they may also have a key role in coordinating the early phases of autoimmune diseases, particularly those involving auto-antibodies.