title: The impact of mast cells on cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: Mast cells comprise an innate immune cell population, which accumulates in tissues proximal to the outside environment and, upon activation, augments the progression of immunological reactions through the release and diffusion of either pre-formed or newly generated mediators. The released products of mast cells include histamine, proteases, as well as a variety of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, which act on the surrounding microenvironment thereby shaping the immune responses triggered in various diseased states. Mast cells have also been detected in the arterial wall and are implicated in the onset and progression of numerous cardiovascular diseases. Notably, modulation of distinct mast cell actions using genetic and pharmacological approaches highlights the crucial role of this cell type in cardiovascular syndromes. The acquired evidence renders mast cells and their mediators as potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in a broad spectrum of pathophysiological conditions related to cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kritikou
authors.affiliation: Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuiper
authors.affiliation: Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Petri T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Kovanen
authors.affiliation: Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: i.bot@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl.
authors.forename: Ilze
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bot
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Aneurysm; Arrhythmia; Atherosclerosis; Diabetes; Mast cells; Myocardial infarction; Obesity; Restenosis