Abstract

Mast cells store an impressive array of preformed compounds (mediators) in their secretory granules. When mast cells degranulate, these are released and have a profound impact on any condition in which mast cell degranulation occurs. The preformed mast cell mediators include well-known substances such as histamine, proteoglycans, proteases, and preformed cytokines, as well as several recently identified compounds. Mast cells have recently been implicated in a large number of novel pathological settings in addition to their well-established contribution to allergic reactions, and there is consequently a large current interest in the molecular mechanisms by which mast cells act in the context of a given condition. In many cases, preformed mast cell mediators have been shown to account for functions ascribed to mast cells, and these compounds are hence emerging as major players in numerous pathologies. In this review we summarize the current knowledge of preformed mast cell mediators.

Keywords

Mast cells; Mediators; Secretion; Granules; Inflammation

Published in

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
2011, Volume: 68, number: 6, pages: 965-975
Publisher: BIRKHAUSER VERLAG AG

SLU Authors

• Lundequist, Anders

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Pejler, Gunnar

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Cell and Molecular Biology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-010-0587-0

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/58580