Uncovering the Mast Cell Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

The immunologic mechanisms that contribute to the response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection still represent a challenge in the clinical management and scientific understanding of tuberculosis disease. In this scenario, the role of the different cells involved in the host response, either in terms of innate or adaptive immunity, remains key for defeating this disease. Among this coordinated cell response, mast cells remain key for defeating tuberculosis infection and disease. Together with its effector’s molecules, membrane receptors as well as its anatomical locations, mast cells play a crucial role in the establishment and perpetuation of the inflammatory response that leads to the generation of the granuloma during tuberculosis. This review highlights the current evidences that support the notion of mast cells as key link to reinforce the advancements in tuberculosis diagnosis, disease progression, and novel therapeutic strategies. Special focus on mast cells capacity for the modulation of the inflammatory response among patients suffering multidrug resistant tuberculosis or in co-infections such as current COVID-19 pandemic.

Classification and characterisation of extracellular vesicles‐related tuberculosis subgroups and immune cell profiles

“…The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed enrichment of immune response, which played an important role in TB occurrence and progression. Immune cell infiltration analysis demonstrated that memory B cells, Monocytes, Macrophages M0 and mast cells resting had a higher proportion in TB samples, which was consistent with previous studies 33–36 . This was further validated by scRNA analysis.…”

“… 41 Mast cells play a critical role in the establishment and perpetuation of the inflammatory response leading to granuloma generation during tuberculosis. 35 All of these provided further evidence of the importance of immunity in the development of TB.…”

“…Immune cell infiltration analysis demonstrated that memory B cells, Monocytes, Macrophages M0 and mast cells resting had a higher proportion in TB samples, which was consistent with previous studies. [33][34][35][36] This was further validated by scRNA analysis. Functional heterogeneity of memory B cell subsets may positively and negatively affect host immunity against TB.…”

“…Monocyte heterogeneity and differentiation into monocyte‐derived dendritic cells or monocyte‐derived macrophages have established a link between innate and adaptive immune responses 41 . Mast cells play a critical role in the establishment and perpetuation of the inflammatory response leading to granuloma generation during tuberculosis 35 . All of these provided further evidence of the importance of immunity in the development of TB.…”