The Ingenious Mast Cell: Contemporary insights into mast cell behavior
and function
Abstract
Mast cells are (in)famous for their role in allergic diseases, but the
physiological and pathophysiological roles of this ingenious cell are
still not fully understood. Mast cells are important for homeostasis and
surveillance of the human system, recognizing both endogenous and
exogenous agents, which induce release of a variety of mediators acting
on both immune and non-immune cells, including nerve cells, fibroblasts,
endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and epithelial cells. During
recent years, clinical and experimental studies on human mast cells as
well as experiments using animal models have resulted in many
discoveries that help decipher the function of mast cells in health and
disease. In this review we focus particularly on new insights into mast
cell biology, with a focus on mast cell development, recruitment,
heterogeneity and reactivity. We also highlight the development in our
understanding of mast cell driven-diseases and discuss the development
of novel strategies to treat such conditions.