Mixed connective tissue disease (or Sharp syndrome) is a rare autoimmune disease presenting mixed features with other connective tissue diseases like lupus erythematosus or myositis. This antibody-mediated disease is defined by the nearly specific presence in the blood of patients of anti-U1-snRNP 70k autoantibodies and a high incidence of life-threatening pulmonary involvement. MCTD pathophysiology is not clearly established and no specific treatment is yet available for the patients. In the report by Lamri et al., the “Basophils, Mast cells and Immunopathology” team describes that basophils and IgE contribute to MCTD pathophysiology and represent new candidate therapeutic targets for MCTD patients.

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