title: Molecular genetics and development of mast cells: implications for molecular medicine.
abstract: For a long time the biology of mast cells has remained an enigma. During the past few decades, molecular research has filled many of the gaps in our understanding of this multifunctional cell type. Several concepts are now established about the origin and development of mast cells. However, the mechanisms leading to autonomous proliferation of mast cells in patients with indolent or aggressive mastocytosis still require further investigation. This article focuses on the recent advances in the field of mast cell development and abnormal mast cell proliferation, and reviews data from the most significant mouse models, which have provided the basis for many of these new insights.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria. manuela.foedinger@akh-wein.ac.at
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Födinger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mannhalter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005838:Genotype; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007946:Leukemia, Mast-Cell / Q000473:pathology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D012515:Mast-Cell Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D008850:Microphthalmos / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D053824:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011828:Radiation Chimera; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C497234:MITF protein, human; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; C497235:Mitf protein, mouse; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; C509249:PTPN6 protein, human; D053824:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; C509248:Ptpn6 protein, mouse