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Mysterious mast cells: their hidden role in the immune system?
Mast cells (also known as mast cells or labrocytes) play versatile roles in tissues, with their functions going beyond the traditional view of allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock, further challenging our understanding of the immune system. In recent studies, scientists have discovered that these cells may play key roles in wound healing, angiogenesis, immune tolerance, and defense against pathogens.
The dramatic release of mast cells makes them important players in the immune system, and not just in allergic reactions.
In fact, mast cells are very similar in structure to basophils, but the two develop from different blood cell lineages. Mast cells mature only after they eventually enter tissues, a process that allows them to adapt their properties and functions to their environment.
Structure and function of mast cells
Mast cells contain abundant granules, which are rich in histamine, heparin and a variety of pro-inflammatory mediators. When mast cells are activated, they can selectively release these mediators, triggering inflammatory responses that are visible to the naked eye, such as swelling and redness. These cells are crucial to the body's protective responses, particularly in providing support for our internal environmental barriers.
The survival and activation of mast cells are closely related to many immune diseases and may play an important role in the communication between the intestine and the brain-gut axis.
Mast cells in the nervous system
Unlike other cells of the immune system, mast cells occur naturally in the human body, in the brain. They not only participate in allergic reactions, but also affect neuroimmune interactions, especially playing a central role in pain perception and endocrine regulation. This led us to question whether mast cells could serve as a kind of connection point, linking immune responses to the state of the nervous system?
Effects on the intestines
In the intestine, mast cells live in close proximity to sensitive nerve fibers. When mast cells release mediators, they activate and sensitize the nerves, further triggering neurogenic inflammation. This process reveals the important physiological role of mast cells in the digestive process, suggesting their indispensable role in intestinal health.
Clinical significanceMast cell activation has been shown to be important in several clinical situations. They have been reported in allergies, parasitic infections, and autoimmune diseases. This suggests that mast cells are able to recognize and respond to a variety of external stimuli and participate in corresponding immune responses.
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a disorder characterized by excessive release of mediators from mast cells, suggesting their diverse roles in pathophysiology.
As our understanding of mast cells deepens, more and more studies are discovering their role in various diseases, especially their importance in autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions and infections. Does this mean that mast cells will play a great role in future immunotherapy?
