The gastrointestinal mast cell in food allergy.

Both clinical observations and experimental data support a primary role for mast cells in the genesis of immediate reactions to foods. Of particular interest is the gastrointestinal mast cell. At its location in the bowel wall it is the first mast cell to degranulate to specific antigen, provided it has antigen specific IgE on its surface. This initial reaction may potentiate entry of further specific antigen into the general circulation, where it can travel to distant sites and degranulate additional mast cells. It is also apparent that gastrointestinal mast cells in animal models have unique properties, including a reported insensitivity to certain degranulating agents and drugs. Such features must be further examined in future attempts to select therapy aimed at preventive treatments for food allergic patients.