Tuft cells are rare chemosensory epithelial cells that monitor their environment and relay messages to the surrounding tissue via secretion of neuromodulatory and immunomodulatory molecules. In the small intestine tuft cells detect helminth infection, protist colonization, and bacterial dysbiosis, and initiate a type 2 immune response characterized by tissue remodeling. In the airways, tuft cells sense bacteria, allergens, and noxious stimuli and drive evasive behavior, neuroinflammation, and anti-bacterial responses. Here we summarize the most recent tuft cell research and discuss how these findings have provided insight into tuft cell diversity. Built around a core program of chemosensing, tuft cell receptors and effector functions are tuned to the unique environmental exposure and physiology of their surrounding tissue.

簇绒细胞是稀有的化学感应上皮细胞，可监测其环境并通过分泌神经调节和免疫调节分子将信息传递给周围组织。在小肠中，簇状细胞检测蠕虫感染、原生生物定植和细菌生态失调，并启动以组织重塑为特征的 2 型免疫反应。在气道中，簇状细胞感知细菌、过敏原和有害刺激并驱动逃避行为、神经炎症和抗菌反应。在这里，我们总结了最新的簇绒细胞研究，并讨论了这些发现如何提供对簇绒细胞多样性的洞察。围绕化学传感的核心程序构建，簇状细胞受体和效应器功能根据其周围组织的独特环境暴露和生理学进行调整。