Molecular and Cellular Biology of Rodent Mast Cells

Mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) are progenitors for mucosal mast cells (MMC) and connective tissue mast cells (CTMC). These populations differ in their expression of granule mediators and surface markers. Molecular cloning of most of the components of mast cell granules has provided an essential tool for understanding mast cell heterogeneity and development. Cytokine regulation of mast cell protease gene expression has facilitated the in vitro characterization of the pathways of mast cell maturation towards the CTMC and MMC phenotypes.