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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Investigating Mast Cell Secretory Granules; from Biosynthesis to Exocytosis
Published on: January 26, 2015
Mast cell proteinases and cytokines in skin inflammation
I T Harvima1, L Horsmanheimo, A Naukkarinen
1Department of Dermatology, University of Kuopio, Finland.
Abstract:
The role of mast cells in provoking immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions is well established, but their involvement in chronic inflammation and immune reactions is not so clear. Mast cells synthesize and secrete large amounts of active proteinases, including tryptase, chymase, carboxypeptidase and cathepsin G, which can rapidly process numerous biologically active peptides and proteins or their precursors. Furthermore, mast cells are able to produce a variety of cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) which are known to be intensively involved in modulating and directing inflammatory responses in the skin. In this review, the role of mast cell proteinases and cytokines in skin inflammation is discussed.
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