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The Critical Role of Mast Cells in Allergy and Inflammation
Author(s) -
THEOHARIDES THEOHARIS C.,
KALOGEROMITROS DIMITRIOS
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1366.025
Subject(s) - immunology , immunoglobulin e , degranulation , inflammation , superantigen , mast cell , allergy , medicine , tryptase , receptor , pathogenesis , atopic dermatitis , anaphylatoxin , immune system , antibody , t cell , complement system
Mast cells are well known for their involvement in allergic and anaphylactic reactions, but recent findings implicate them in a variety of inflammatory diseases affecting different organs, including the heart, joints, lungs, and skin. In these cases, mast cells appear to be activated by triggers other than aggregation of their IgE receptors (FcɛRI), such as anaphylatoxins, immunoglobulin‐free light chains, superantigens, neuropeptides, and cytokines leading to selective release of mediators without degranulation. These findings could explain inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, coronary inflammation, and inflammatory arthritis, all of which worsen by stress. It is proposed that the pathogenesis of these diseases involve mast cell activation by local release of corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) or related peptides. Combination of CRH receptor antagonists and mast cell inhibitors may present novel therapeutic interventions.