“…84 Mast cells produce mediators that have smooth muscle constrictive properties: 78 therefore mast cells and their mediators may provide at least a partial explanation for the finding of airways obstruction in such patients. 62,63,79,83 The increased number of pulmonary parenchymal and peribronchiolar mast cells in our patients with CILD appears to be relatively specific to these illnesses and is not a sign of general lung damage. Mast cells were not abundant in lung specimens from patients with other severe lung diseases, such as bronchopneumonia, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or congenital heart disease with PHT.…”