What Are Other Mast Cell Receptors?

In this webinar, Dr. Theoharis C. Theoharides discusses an important discovery in the field of mast cell biology: the identification of the MRGPRX2 receptor. Unlike the well-known Immunoglobulin E receptor, which is triggered by allergens, MRGPRX2 responds to positively charged drugs and peptides, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as pseudoallergy. This discovery highlights a different pathway of mast cell activation, which can lead to responses from mast cells in patients with allergic histories when exposed to certain drugs, causing what appears to be allergic reactions without the presence of typical allergens. Understanding the function of MRGPRX2 provides insight into new mechanisms of mast cell activation relevant to conditions such as MCAS.