Mast cells: an expanding pathophysiological role from allergy to other disorders

Abstract

The mast cells are multi-effector cells with wide distribution in the different body parts and traditionally their role has been well-defined in the development of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions including bronchial asthma. Due to the availability of genetically modified mast cell-deficient mice, the broadened pathophysiological role of mast cells in diverse diseases has been revealed. Mast cells exert different physiological and pathophysiological roles by secreting their granular contents, including vasoactive amines, cytokines and chemokines, and various proteases, including tryptase and chymase. Furthermore, mast cells also synthesize plasma membrane-derived lipid mediators, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes, to produce diverse biological actions. The present review discusses the pathophysiological role of mast cells in different diseases, including atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, ischemia-reperfusion injury, male infertility, autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, bladder pain syndrome (interstitial cystitis), anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, nociception, obesity and diabetes mellitus.

Serum biomarkers in elderly asthma

“…Eosinophils, mast cells, neutrophils, T helper cells and dendritic cells participate in this acute inflammation (2). Dendritic cells are the main antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the immune reaction, activating mast cells through IgE attached to their high affinity receptors (FcεRI), degranulating and releasing inflammatory components, such as histamine, which is known to be a bronchoconstrictor (3,4). Allergens will also be presented to CD4+ T helper cells.…”

In vivo visualization of uterine mast cells by two-photon microscopy

“…Besides the well-documented role of mast cells (MCs) in IgE-mediated allergic responses (Galli & Tsai 2012), MCs appear now as key effector cells influencing a variety of physiological as well as pathophysiological processes (Bischoff 2009, Anand et al 2012. Not only do they contribute to innate and adaptive immune responses (Galli et al 2005, St John & Abraham 2013, but also they are directly involved in non-immunological processes including tissue remodeling and angiogenesis (Varayoud et al 2004, Bosquiazzo et al 2007, Theoharides et al 2010.…”

Mast hücreleri ve aktivasyonu

“…Bu reseptörü aktive eden en önemli faktör başlıca endotel hücreleri, fibroblastlar ve stromal hücreler üzerinde sunulan SCF'dir. SCF dışına T hücre kökenli interlökin (IL) -3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-9 mast hücre aktivasyonuna yol açan diğer önemli sitokinlerdir 1,[3][4][5][6] . c-kit aktivasyonunun öneminin anlaşılmasından sonra sistemik mastositoz tedavisinde imatinib mesilat gibi c-kit reseptör inhibitörlerinin kullanımı ile başarılı sonuçlar alındığı bildirilmiştir 7 .…”