Open AccessShould mast cells be considered therapeutic targets in multiple sclerosis?
Author(s) -
Karen Henriette Pinke,
Sofia Fernanda Gonçalves Zorzella-Pezavento,
Vanessa Soares Lara,
Alexandrina Sartori
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
neural regeneration research/neural regeneration research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.93
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1876-7958
pISSN - 1673-5374
DOI - 10.4103/1673-5374.282238
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis , immunology , encephalomyelitis , innate immune system , immune system , mast cell , medicine , central nervous system , haematopoiesis , neuroscience , biology , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology
Mast cells are immune cells of the myeloid lineage that are found throughout the body, including the central nervous system. They perform many functions associated with innate and specific immunity, angiogenesis, and vascular homeostasis. Moreover, they have been implicated in a series of pathologies (e.g., hypersensitivity reactions, tumors, and inflammatory disorders). In this review, we propose that this cell could be a relevant therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis, which is a central nervous system degenerative disease. To support this proposition, we describe the general biological properties of mast cells, their contribution to innate and specific immunity, and the participation of mast cells in the various stages of multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis development. The final part of this review is dedicated to an overview of the available mast cells immunomodulatory drugs and their activity on multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, including our own experience related to the effect of ketotifen fumarate on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis evolution.