title: Mast cells and vascular diseases.
abstract: Mast cells are increasingly being recognized as effector cells in many cardiovascular conditions. Many mast-cell-derived products such as tryptase and chymase can, through their enzymic action, have detrimental effects on blood vessel structure while mast cell-derived mediators such as cytokines and chemokines can perpetuate vascular inflammation. Mice lacking mast cells have been developed and these are providing an insight into how mast cells are involved in cardiovascular diseases and, as knowledge increase, mast cells may become a viable therapeutic target to slow progression of cardiovascular disease.
authors: Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK. simon.kennedy@glasgow.ac.uk
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Kennedy
authors: Junxi
authors: J
authors: Wu
authors: Roger M
authors: RM
authors: Wadsworth
authors: Catherine E
authors: CE
authors: Lawrence
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Maffia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation