A review of mast cell biology

In recent years, the mast cell has been a focus of intense scientific study, predominantly because of its role as a key effector cell in immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Continuous research over the last 20 years has finally characterized the origin of mast cells, and determined many of the factors involved in mast cell differentiation and proliferation. In addition, different subpopulations of mast cell have been defined with distinct biochemical and functional characteristics. The mechanisms involved in stimulus-secretion coupling, the process by which mast cells release their inflammatory mediators, has received particular attention because these mechanisms may be future targets for anti-allergic drugs. However, it is now recognized that mast cells play a much wider role than mediating allergic diseases. They are involved in non specific inflammatory reactions, fibrosis, angiogenesis and wound healing, and play an important role in protection of the host against gastrointestinal nematodes and certain bacterial infections. In this review, the advances made in determining the origins, heterogeneity and function of mast cells are described.