A review of mast cells and liver disease: What have we learned?
BACKGROUND
Mast cells are recognized as diverse and highly complicated cells. Aside from their notorious role in allergic inflammatory reactions, mast cells are being implicated in numerous disease processes from heart disease to cancer. Mast cells have been implicated in liver pathogenesis including hepatitis and host allograft rejection after liver transplantation.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to discuss the traditional function of mast cells, their location and anatomy with regards to hepatic vasculature and the role of mast cells in hepatic diseases including liver regeneration and rejection. Finally, we will touch on the role of mast cells in liver cancer. In conclusion, we hope that the reader comes away with a better understanding of the diverse and potential role(s) that mast cells may play in liver pathologies.
Francis
Heather
H
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, TX, United States. hfrancis@tamu.edu
Meininger
Cynthia J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004764:Enterohepatic Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000276:immunology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D023421:Models, Animal; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous