Tryptase, a novel link between allergic inflammation and fibrosis

Allergy is a complex inflammatory disease, the etiology of which is well defined. It has recently been proposed that eosinophil, mast-cell and fibroblast interactions contribute to allergy perpetuation. Moreover, mast-cell-derived tryptase might act as a link among these cells. This hypothesis is supported by two recent papers that show that tryptase, seemingly through the protease-activated receptor-2, mediates eosinophil infiltration in the airways and fibroblast proliferation that depends on both cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin synthesis.