Autoimmunity and mast cell-related diseases.

Allergy and autoimmunity are complex inflammatory processes caused by dysregulation of the immune system. There are select situations in which allergy and autoimmunity coexist pathologically. Traditionally considered unrelated, recent evidence suggests unexpected roles for allergic mediators in several autoimmune diseases. This review presents updated evidence for allergic mediators in several autoimmune diseases, as well as autoimmune phenomena in mast cell-related conditions. We will describe the concomitant manifestation of these conditions in patients and in animal models. The involvement of the main effectors of the immune system - mast cells, T lymphocytes, antibodies and cytokines - in both conditions is also discussed.