Mast cell activation disease
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Mast cells are multifunctional cells that initiate not only IgE dependent allergic diseases but also play a fundamental role in innate and adaptive immune responses to microbial infection. They are also thought to play a role in angiogenesis, tissue remodeling, wound healing, and tumor repression or growth. The broad scope of these physiologic and pathologic roles illustrates the flexible nature of mast cells, which is enabled in part by their phenotypic adaptability to different tissue microenvironments and their ability to generate and release a diverse array of bioactive mediators (Figures 1 and 2) in response to multiple types of cell surface and cytosolic receptors.1 Mast cells are tissue fixed effector cells of allergic and other inflammatory reactions. In common with blood basophils mast cells express high affinity IgE-binding sites and store numerous proinflammatory and vasoactive mediators in their metachromatic granules.2 During a severe anaphylactic reaction, allergen induced cross linking of IgE binding sites on mast cells is followed by an explosive release of granular mediators.3 In addition, activated mast cells release newly synthesized membrane derived (lipid) mediators of allergic reactions into the extracellular space. Blood basophils also participate in allergic and other inflammatory reactions in the same way as mast cells. 4 The capacity of mast cells and basophil to release mediators of anaphylaxis in response to cell activation, also termed releasability, depends on a number of different factors, including the primary underlying disease, number and type of (pre) activated receptors and signaling cascades, and the genetic background.5 The severity of an anaphylactic reaction is determined by additional factors, including the numbers of mast cells (and basophils) involved in the reaction, presence and type of allergen, amount and type of IgE, presence of comorbidities, the local microenvironment, and the cytokine and chemokine networks.6
Author: Hanan Abd El Lateef
Language: English
Topic: Mast cells and histamine
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1515301683