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Cells Mar 2022Mast cells are widely distributed in various parts of the human body and play a vital role in the progression of many diseases. Recently, the close relationship between... (Review)
Review
Mast cells are widely distributed in various parts of the human body and play a vital role in the progression of many diseases. Recently, the close relationship between mast cells and acupoints was elucidated, and the role of mast cells in acupuncture analgesia has attracted the attention of researchers worldwide. Using mast cells, acupuncture analgesia and acupoint as key words to search CNKI, PubMed, Web of Science and other databases, combining the representative articles in these databases with the published research papers of our group, we summarized: The enrichment of mast cells and the dense arrangement of collagen fibers, microvessels, and nerves form the basis for acupoints as the reaction sites of acupuncture; acupuncture can cause the deformation of collagen fibers and activate TRPV channels on mast cells membrane, so as to stimulate mast cells to release bioactive substances and activate nerve receptors to generate analgesic effect; system biology models are set up to explain the quantitative process of information initiation and transmission at acupuncture points, and indicate that the acupuncture effect depends on the local mast cells density. In a conclusion, this review will give a scientific explanation of acupuncture analgesia from the material basis of acupoints, the local initiation, and afferent biological mechanism.
Topics: Acupuncture Analgesia; Acupuncture Points; Acupuncture Therapy; Collagen; Humans; Mast Cells
PubMed: 35269483
DOI: 10.3390/cells11050860 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2021Mast cells are derived from hematopoietic stem cell precursors and are essential to the genesis and manifestations of the allergic response. Activation of these cells by... (Review)
Review
Mast cells are derived from hematopoietic stem cell precursors and are essential to the genesis and manifestations of the allergic response. Activation of these cells by allergens leads to degranulation and elaboration of inflammatory mediators, responsible for regulating the acute dramatic inflammatory response seen. Mast cells have also been incriminated in such diverse disorders as malignancy, arthritis, coronary artery disease, and osteoporosis. There has been a recent explosion in our understanding of the mast cell and the associated clinical conditions that affect this cell type. Some mast cell disorders are associated with specific genetic mutations (such as the D816V gain-of-function mutation) with resultant clonal disease. Such disorders include cutaneous mastocytosis, systemic mastocytosis (SM), its variants (indolent/ISM, smoldering/SSM, aggressive systemic mastocytosis/ASM) and clonal (or monoclonal) mast cell activation disorders or syndromes (CMCAS/MMAS). Besides clonal mast cell activations disorders/CMCAS (also referred to as monoclonal mast cell activation syndromes/MMAS), mast cell activation can also occur secondary to allergic, inflammatory, or paraneoplastic disease. Some disorders are idiopathic as their molecular pathogenesis and evolution are unclear. A genetic disorder, referred to as hereditary alpha-tryptasemia (HαT) has also been described recently. This condition has been shown to be associated with increased severity of allergic and anaphylactic reactions and may interact variably with primary and secondary mast cell disease, resulting in complex combined disorders. The role of this review is to clarify the classification of mast cell disorders, point to molecular aspects of mast cell signaling, elucidate underlying genetic defects, and provide approaches to targeted therapies that may benefit such patients.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mast Cell Activation Disorders; Mast Cells; Mastocytosis
PubMed: 34681933
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011270 -
The Journal of Histochemistry and... Oct 2014Since first described by Paul Ehrlich in 1878, mast cells have been mostly viewed as effectors of allergy. It has been only in the past two decades that mast cells have... (Review)
Review
Since first described by Paul Ehrlich in 1878, mast cells have been mostly viewed as effectors of allergy. It has been only in the past two decades that mast cells have gained recognition for their involvement in other physiological and pathological processes. Mast cells have a widespread distribution and are found predominantly at the interface between the host and the external environment. Mast cell maturation, phenotype and function are a direct consequence of the local microenvironment and have a marked influence on their ability to specifically recognize and respond to various stimuli through the release of an array of biologically active mediators. These features enable mast cells to act as both first responders in harmful situations as well as to respond to changes in their environment by communicating with a variety of other cells implicated in physiological and immunological responses. Therefore, the critical role of mast cells in both innate and adaptive immunity, including immune tolerance, has gained increased prominence. Conversely, mast cell dysfunction has pointed to these cells as the main offenders in several chronic allergic/inflammatory disorders, cancer and autoimmune diseases. This review summarizes the current knowledge of mast cell function in both normal and pathological conditions with regards to their regulation, phenotype and role.
Topics: Animals; Disease; Humans; Mast Cells; Phenotype
PubMed: 25062998
DOI: 10.1369/0022155414545334 -
Immunity Feb 2020Mast cells are rare tissue-resident cells of importance to human allergies. To understand the structural basis of principle mast cell functions, we analyzed the proteome... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Mast cells are rare tissue-resident cells of importance to human allergies. To understand the structural basis of principle mast cell functions, we analyzed the proteome of primary human and mouse mast cells by quantitative mass spectrometry. We identified a mast-cell-specific proteome signature, indicative of a unique lineage, only distantly related to other immune cell types, including innate immune cells. Proteome comparison between human and mouse suggested evolutionary conservation of core mast cell functions. In addition to specific proteases and proteins associated with degranulation and proteoglycan biosynthesis, mast cells expressed proteins potentially involved in interactions with neurons and neurotransmitter metabolism, including cell adhesion molecules, ion channels, and G protein coupled receptors. Toward targeted cell ablation in severe allergic diseases, we used MRGPRX2 for mast cell depletion in human skin biopsies. These proteome analyses suggest a unique role of mast cells in the immune system, probably intertwined with the nervous system.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Cell Degranulation; Cell Lineage; Cells, Cultured; Connective Tissue; Humans; Immunotherapy; Mast Cells; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neuroimmunomodulation; Proteoglycans; Proteome; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Neuropeptide; Skin
PubMed: 32049054
DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.01.012 -
International Archives of Allergy and... 2018The specificity of several staining methods for mast cells provides the pathologist with a useful means for the differential diagnosis of mast cell tumors. Mast cells...
The specificity of several staining methods for mast cells provides the pathologist with a useful means for the differential diagnosis of mast cell tumors. Mast cells stain metachromatically with toluidine blue with greater intensity in cells containing smaller granules. Most stains for mast cells rely on the cell's content of heparin, other glycosaminoglycans, and esterase. As an alternative to histochemical stains, different antibodies have been used to identify mast cells in humans.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Europe; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Mast Cells; Rats; Staining and Labeling; United States
PubMed: 29597213
DOI: 10.1159/000487538 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022
Topics: Animals; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Mast Cells
PubMed: 35173737
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.827375 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2019Mast cells are well accepted as important sentinel cells for host defence against selected pathogens. Their location at mucosal surfaces and ability to mobilize multiple... (Review)
Review
Mast cells are well accepted as important sentinel cells for host defence against selected pathogens. Their location at mucosal surfaces and ability to mobilize multiple aspects of early immune responses makes them critical contributors to effective immunity in several experimental settings. However, the interactions of mast cells with viruses and pathogen products are complex and can have both detrimental and positive impacts. There is substantial evidence for mast cell mobilization and activation of effector cells and mobilization of dendritic cells following viral challenge. These cells are a major and under-appreciated local source of type I and III interferons following viral challenge. However, mast cells have also been implicated in inappropriate inflammatory responses, long term fibrosis, and vascular leakage associated with viral infections. Progress in combating infection and boosting effective immunity requires a better understanding of mast cell responses to viral infection and the pathogen products and receptors we can employ to modify such responses. In this review, we outline some of the key known responses of mast cells to viral infection and their major responses to pathogen products. We have placed an emphasis on data obtained from human mast cells and aim to provide a framework for considering the complex interactions between mast cells and pathogens with a view to exploiting this knowledge therapeutically. Long-lived resident mast cells and their responses to viruses and pathogen products provide excellent opportunities to modify local immune responses that remain to be fully exploited in cancer immunotherapy, vaccination, and treatment of infectious diseases.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Culicidae; Humans; Immunity; Mast Cells; Models, Biological; Viruses
PubMed: 31480219
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174241 -
Cells Mar 2021Mast cells are essential first responder granulocytes in the innate immune system that are well known for their role in type 1 immune hypersensitivity reactions.... (Review)
Review
Mast cells are essential first responder granulocytes in the innate immune system that are well known for their role in type 1 immune hypersensitivity reactions. Although mostly recognized for their role in allergies, mast cells have a range of influences on other systems throughout the body and can respond to a wide range of agonists to properly prime an appropriate immune response. Mast cells have a dynamic energy metabolism to allow rapid responsiveness to their energetic demands. However, our understanding of mast cell metabolism and its impact on mast cell activation and development is still in its infancy. Mast cell metabolism during stimulation and development shifts between both arms of metabolism: catabolic metabolism-such as glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation-and anabolic metabolism-such as the pentose phosphate pathway. The potential for metabolic pathway shifts to precede and perhaps even control activation and differentiation provides an exciting opportunity to explore energy metabolism for clues in deciphering mast cell function. In this review, we discuss literature pertaining to metabolic environments and fluctuations during different sources of activation, especially IgE mediated vs. non-IgE mediated, and mast cell development, including progenitor cell types leading to the well-known resident mast cell.
Topics: Cell Differentiation; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Mast Cells
PubMed: 33801300
DOI: 10.3390/cells10030524 -
Gastroenterology Apr 2013Close association between nerves and mast cells in the gut wall provides the microanatomic basis for functional interactions between these elements, supporting the... (Review)
Review
Close association between nerves and mast cells in the gut wall provides the microanatomic basis for functional interactions between these elements, supporting the hypothesis that a mast cell-nerve axis influences gut functions in health and disease. Advanced morphology and imaging techniques are now available to assess structural and functional relationships of the mast cell-nerve axis in human gut tissues. Morphologic techniques including co-labeling of mast cells and nerves serve to evaluate changes in their densities and anatomic proximity. Calcium (Ca(++)) and potentiometric dye imaging provide novel insights into functions such as mast cell-nerve signaling in the human gut tissues. Such imaging promises to reveal new ionic or molecular targets to normalize nerve sensitization induced by mast cell hyperactivity or mast cell sensitization by neurogenic inflammatory pathways. These targets include proteinase-activated receptor (PAR) 1 or histamine receptors. In patients, optical imaging in the gut in vivo has the potential to identify neural structures and inflammation in vivo. The latter has some risks and potential of sampling error with a single biopsy. Techniques that image nerve fibers in the retina without the need for contrast agents (optical coherence tomography and full-field optical coherence microscopy) may be applied to study submucous neural plexus. Moreover, the combination of submucosal dissection, use of a fluorescent marker, and endoscopic confocal microscopy provides detailed imaging of myenteric neurons and smooth muscle cells in the muscularis propria. Studies of motility and functional gastrointestinal disorders would be feasible without the need for full-thickness biopsy.
Topics: Cell Communication; Diagnostic Imaging; Female; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Male; Mast Cells; Microscopy, Confocal; Nerve Fibers; Submucous Plexus; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 23354018
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.01.040 -
Molecular Immunology Jan 2015Mast cells in tissues are developed from mast cell progenitors emerging from the bone marrow in a process highly regulated by transcription factors. Through the... (Review)
Review
Mast cells in tissues are developed from mast cell progenitors emerging from the bone marrow in a process highly regulated by transcription factors. Through the advancement of the multicolor flow cytometry technique, the mast cell progenitor population in the mouse has been characterized in terms of surface markers. However, only cell populations with enriched mast cell capability have been described in human. In naïve mice, the peripheral tissues have a constitutive pool of mast cell progenitors. Upon infections in the gut and in allergic inflammation in the lung, the local mast cell progenitor numbers increase tremendously. This review focuses on the origin and development of mast cell progenitors. Furthermore, the evidences for cells and molecules that govern the migration of these cells in mice in vivo are described.
Topics: Animals; Bone Marrow Cells; Cell Differentiation; Cell Movement; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Inflammation; Lung; Mast Cells; Mice; Rats; Stem Cells; Stomach; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 24598075
DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.01.018