Regulation of mast cell differentiation.
Mast cells are a unique class of blood cell. Unlike most blood cells, undifferentiated precursors of mast cells migrate in the bloodstream, invade tissues, proliferate there and then differentiate. Even after differentiation, some mast cells may proliferate extensively. Differentiation of mast cells is regulated by both diffusible growth factors and direct contact with fibroblasts.
Kitamura
Y
Y
Fujita
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006706:Homeostasis; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008962:Models, Theoretical