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Worms tame mast cells

A protein produced by parasitic roundworms that inhibits the inflammatory response is shown to prevent mast cell activation. The protein could potentially be used for the management of allergies and asthma (pages 1375–1381).

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Figure 1: ES-62, a secreted phosphorylcholine-containing glycoprotein from a parasitic helminth, inhibits FcɛRI-initiated mast cell activation.

Kim Caesar

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Pearce, E. Worms tame mast cells. Nat Med 13, 1288–1289 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1107-1288

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