title: Mast cells and inflammation.
abstract: The prominent role for mast cells in the inflammatory response has been increasingly well documented in recent years. Mast cells not only contribute to maintain homeostasis via degranulation and to generate IgE-mediated allergic reactions, but also sit at a major crossroads for both innate and adaptive immune responses. The part played by mast cells in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis identifies mast cells as a valuable treatment target in these diseases. Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors targeting the c-Kit mast cell receptor have been found effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and multiple sclerosis. When used in combination with other available drugs, tyrosine-kinase inhibitors may improve the therapeutic management of these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Hématologie Adulte, Centre de référence des mastocytoses, CNRS UMR 8147, Institut Imagine, Hôpital Necker-Enfants-Malades, 75015 Paris, France. frenzel_laurent@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frenzel
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hermine
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy