The role of RasGRP4, a mast cell specific protein in mast cell growth, differentiation and activation

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Mast cells are cells found in the body which are strategically located at mucosal sites and skin where they form a very important barrier in the immune defence. Mast cells have been implicated in a range of inflammatory disorders such as asthma and more recently they have been shown to participate in immunity against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Although a lot of work has been performed to analyze how mast cells respond to different stimuli and what factors are important in their activation, there is little work available concerning what in the mast cell controls it's ability to become a mast cell and not any other cell. We have identified a specific protein that has been designated RasGRP4 which is restricted to mast cells and has, we believe, an important role to play not only in guiding immature cells to become mast cells but also in controlling some of the important functions of mast cells. Understanding this molecule more extensively will give us a much better understanding of diseases that the mast cell is involved in such as asthma and other inflammatory disorders. In addition it may shed insights into how mast cells are involved in immunity against bacteria and viruses.