title: The development of human mast cells. An historical reappraisal.
abstract: The understanding of mast cell (MC) differentiation is derived mainly from in vitro studies of different stages of stem and progenitor cells. The hematopoietic lineage development of human MCs is unique compared to other myeloid-derived cells. Human MCs originate from CD34(+)/CD117(+)/CD13(+)multipotent hematopoietic progenitors, which undergo transendothelial recruitment into peripheral tissues, where they complete differentiation. Stem cell factor (SCF) is a major chemotactic factor for MCs and their progenitors. SCF also elicits cell-cell and cell-substratum adhesion, facilitates the proliferation, and sustains the survival, differentiation, and maturation, of MCs. Because MC maturation is influenced by local microenvironmental factors, different MC phenotypes can develop in different tissues and organs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy. Electronic address: domenico.ribatti@uniba.it.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribatti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003585:Cell Biology / Q000266:history; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019089:Stem Cell Factor
keywords: Bone marrow; Development; History of medicine; Mast cells