Keywords: Mast cells; Stem cell factor (SCF); c-KIT; IgE; FcεRIAHR, airway hyperresponsiveness; BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage; BMCMC, bone marrow-derived cultured mast cell; CLP, cecal ligation and puncture; CPA, carboxypeptidase; DT, diphtheria toxin; DTR, diphtheri