The interplay between probiotics and mast cells in gut inflammation: a mini-review.

2026-04-01
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology 16

PubMed: 41994207
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2026.1772010

Study Design

Type: Review
Methods: This mini-review synthesizes current evidence on the crosstalk between probiotics and MCs.

Mast cells (MCs) are myeloid-derived immune cells that differentiate in peripheral tissues, where they are strategically located near epithelial surfaces. In the gastrointestinal tract, MCs regulate immune response through the release of mediators such as histamine, cytokines, and proteases; however, their excessive activation promotes inflammation, increases intestinal permeability, and contributes to disorders such as food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic intestinal inflammation. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts and play a key role in gut immune regulation by modulating the microbiota, reinforcing epithelial barrier integrity, and promoting anti-inflammatory responses. Although MCs and probiotics have been extensively studied independently, their functional interplay in gut health and disease remains poorly defined. Here, we propose that probiotic-mast cell interactions represent an underexplored immunoregulatory axis in intestinal homeostasis. This mini-review synthesizes current evidence on the crosstalk between probiotics and MCs, highlighting the limited mechanistic understanding of these interactions and its potential therapeutic implications.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus	—	Modulated Immune Response	Beneficial	Small	View source Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts and play a key role in gut immune regulation by modulating the microbiota, reinforcing epithelial barrier integrity, and promoting anti-inflammatory responses.