Krystel-Whittemore M, Dileepan KN, Wood JG, et al.
Frontiers in immunology. Date of publication 2016 Jan 6;volume 6():620.
1. Front Immunol. 2016 Jan 6;6:620. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00620. eCollection 2015.
Mast Cell: A Multi-Functional Master Cell.
Krystel-Whittemore M(1), Dileepan KN(2), Wood JG(3).
Author information:
(1)Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas
Medical Center , Kansas City, KS , USA.
(2)Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Clinical Immunology and
Rheumatology, University of Kansas Medical Center , Kansas City, KS , USA.
(3)Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas
Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Kansas
Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
Mast cells are immune cells of the myeloid lineage and are present in connective
tissues throughout the body. The activation and degranulation of mast cells
significantly modulates many aspects of physiological and pathological conditions
in various settings. With respect to normal physiological functions, mast cells
are known to regulate vasodilation, vascular homeostasis, innate and adaptive
immune responses, angiogenesis, and venom detoxification. On the other hand, mast
cells have also been implicated in the pathophysiology of many diseases,
including allergy, asthma, anaphylaxis, gastrointestinal disorders, many types of
malignancies, and cardiovascular diseases. This review summarizes the current
understanding of the role of mast cells in many pathophysiological conditions.
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00620
PMCID: PMC4701915
PMID: 26779180
