Main description:

Mast cells (MC) are phylogenetically old cells which are distributed throughout the human organism. MC are found in almost all of the major organs and tissues of the body, particularly in association with connective tissue structures such as blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves, and in proximity to surfaces that interface the external environment, such as those of the respiratory and gastrointestinal system and the skin. This selective accumulation at tissue sites where foreign material attempts to invade the host suggests that MC are among the first cells to initiate defensive mechanisms. MC have long been recognized as key cells of type I hypersensitivity reactions. Several lines of evidence, however, indicate that they not only express critical effector functions in classic IgE-associated allergic disorders, but also play important roles in host defense against parasites, bacteria and perhaps even viruses. Indeed, it is now clear that MC can contribute to host defense in the context of either acquired or innate immune responses through the release of a myriad of pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory molecules and the expression of a wide spectrum of surface receptors for cytokines and chemokines. Moreover, there is growing evidence that MC exert distinct non-immunological functions, playing a relevant role in tissue homeostasis, remodeling and fibrosis as well as in the processes of tissue angiogenesis.

Contents:

1. Foreword

2. Mast cell ontogeny

2.1. Background

2.2. First evidence of bone marrow origin

2.3. Development of mast cells along the myeloid pathway

2.4. Stem cell factor

2.5. Integrins and cell adhesion molecules

2.6. Chemokine receptors and interleukins

3. Staining of mast cells

3.1.Background

3.2. Metachromasia

3.3. Alcian blue-safranin

3.4. The tyrosine kinase kit receptor

3.5. Tryptase and chymase

3.6. Other stainings

4. Mast cells heterogeneity

4.1. Background

4.2. Mast cells in thymus

4.3. Mast cells in duodenum

4.4. Mast cells in mammary gland

4.5. Other localizations

4.6. Mechanistic insights

5. Mast cell biology and functions

5.1.Background

5.2.Mast cell derived secretory products

5.3.Mast cell immunological functions

5.4.Mast cell non-immunological functions

6. Mast cells in arteriogenesis

6.1.Background

6.2.Factors involved in angiogenesis and arteriogenesis

6.3.Inflammatory cells in arteriogenesis

6.4.Mast cells in arteriogenesis

6.5.Perspectives

7. Mast cells in primary systemic vasculitides

7.1.Background

7.2.Experimental evidence of the involvement of mast cells in vasculitides

7.3.Clinical evidence of the involvement of mast cells in vasculitides

7.4.Therapeutic perespectives

8. Mast cells in blood-brain barrier alterations and neurodegenerative diseases

8.1.The blood-brain barrier

8.2.Mast cells in the brain

8.3.Mast cells in cerebral ischemia

8.4.Mast cells in multiple sclerosis

8.5.Mast cells in angiogenesis in diseases associated with blood brain barrier alterations

8.6.Perspectives

9. Mast cells and basophils: a link between angiogenesis and inflammation in allergic diseases

9.1.General biology and mediators of mast cells and basophils

9.2.Mast cells and basophils in allergy

9.3.Mast cells and basophils in inflammation, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling

10. Mast cells in tumor fate

10.1. Tumor microenvironment

10.2. Mast cells and tumor growth: pros and cons

11. Mast cells in tumor angiogenesis and lymphoangiogenesis

11.1. Mediators released by human mast cells involved in the angiogenic response

11.2. The CAM assay in the study of mast cell-induced angiogenesis

11.3. Mast cells in experimental tumor angiogenesis

11.4. Mast cells and angiogenesis in solid tumors

11.5. Mast cells and angiogenesis in haematological malignancies

11.6. Mast cells in tumor lymphoangiogenesis

12. Mast cells as therapeutic target in cancer

12.1. Background

12.2. Inhibition of of the SCF/kit axis

12.3. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors

12.4. Other molecules

12.5. Perspectives

Index.