A Connective Tissue Mast-Cell-Specific Receptor Detects Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Molecules and Mediates Antibacterial Immunity (Cell Host & Microbe)

Bacteria use quorum-sensing signaling for cross-species communication. Pundir et al. report that host mast cells detect Gram-positive-bacteria-derived quorum-sensing molecules via the Mrgpr receptors. Mrgpr activation triggers antibacterial activity and immune cell recruitment to efficiently clear bacteria, while animals deficient in Mrgpr are hypersusceptible to bacterial infection.