Methods and Results - We show here that episodes of systemic mast cell activation during plaque progression in mice leads to robust plaque expansion.

For example, Xolair, injected monthly, soaks up IgE like a sponge, ensuring that it cannot dock on mast-cell receptors and trigger an allergic reaction.

Importantly, treatment with the mast cell stabilizer cromolyn does prevent all the adverse phenomena elicited by mast cell activation.