Mast cells (MCs) are long-living immune cells highly specialized in the storage and release of different biologically active compounds and are involved in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity. MC degranulation and replacement of MC granules are accompanied by active membrane remodelling. Tetraspanins represent an evolutionary conserved family of transmembrane proteins. By interacting with lipids and other membrane and intracellular proteins, they are involved in organisation of membrane protein complexes and act as "molecular facilitators" connecting extracellular and cytoplasmic signaling elements. MCs express different tetraspanins and MC degranulation is accompanied by changes in membrane organisation. Therefore, tetraspanins are very likely involved in the regulation of MC exocytosis and membrane reorganisation after degranulation. Antiviral response and production of exosomes are further aspects of MC function characterized by dynamic changes of membrane organization. In this review, we pay a particular attention to tetraspanin gene expression in different human and murine MC populations, discuss tetraspanin involvement in regulation of key MC signaling complexes, and analyze the potential contribution of tetraspanins to MC antiviral response and exosome production. In-depth knowledge of tetraspanin-mediated molecular mechanisms involved in different aspects of the regulation of MC response will be beneficial for patients with allergies, characterized by overwhelming MC reactions.

Department of Signal Transduction Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic

Division of Experimental Pneumology Research Center Borstel Leibniz Lungenzentrum Airway Research Center North German Center for Lung Research Borstel Germany

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