New Developments in Mast Cell Biology: Clinical Implications.
Mast cells (MCs) are present in connective tissue and at mucosal surfaces in all classes of vertebrates. In health, they contribute to tissue homeostasis, host defense, and tissue repair via multiple receptors regulating the release of a vast stockpile of proinflammatory mediators, proteases, and cytokines. However, these potentially protective cells are a double-edged sword. When there is a repeated or long-term stimulus, MC activation leads to tissue damage and dysfunction. Accordingly, MCs are implicated in the pathophysiologic aspects of numerous diseases covering all organs. Understanding the biology of MCs, their heterogeneity, mechanisms of activation, and signaling cascades may lead to the development of novel therapies for many diseases for which current treatments are lacking or are of poor efficacy. This review will focus on updates and developments in MC biology and their clinical implications, with a particular focus on their role in respiratory diseases.
Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, England.
Greer
G
Arthur
Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, England. Electronic address: pb46@le.ac.uk.
Peter
P
Bradding
D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D000075982:Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000276:immunology*; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000276:immunology*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000276:immunology*; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D000075744:Receptors, CXCR6; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D012907:Smoking / Q000276:immunology*
C403514:CADM1 protein, human; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; C106330:CXCR6 protein, human; D000075982:Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D000075744:Receptors, CXCR6; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
COPD; asthma; pulmonary fibrosis; pulmonary hypertension