Heterotypic adhesion-induced mast cell activation: biologic relevance in the inflammatory context.
In addition to being a major effector cell in the elicitation of allergic inflammation, mast cells have been found to be activated in various T cell-mediated inflammatory processes and to reside in close physical proximity to T cells. Such observations have led investigators to propose a functional relationship between these two cell populations. In this regard, we have recently reported that murine and human mast cells can be activated to both release granule-associated mediators, such as histamine and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and to produce several cytokines (i.e. TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-6) upon physical contact, which is adhesion molecule mediated, with activated T cells. This cascade of events, whereby mast cells are activated by T cells to release certain mediators which are known to be essential for leukocyte extravasation and recruitment to affected sites, points to an important immunoregulatory function of mast cells within the context of T cell-mediated inflammatory processes.
Mekori
Yoseph A
YA
The Allergy-Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medicine B, Meir General Hospital, Kfar-Saba, Israel. ymekori@netvision.net.il
Baram
Dana
D
D019898:Autocrine Communication; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002450:Cell Communication; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9