Brain mast cells link the immune system to anxiety-like behavior
"Mast cells are resident in the brain and contain numerous mediators,
including neurotransmitters, cytokines, and chemokines, that are
released in response to a variety of natural and pharmacological
triggers. The number of mast cells in the brain fluctuates with stress
and various behavioral and endocrine states. These properties suggest
that mast cells are poised to influence neural systems underlying
behavior."
"Taken together, the data implicate brain mast cells in the modulation of anxiety-like behavior and provide evidence for the behavioral importance of neuroimmune links."