Novel Strategies to Target Mast Cells in Disease

Abstract

Mast cells (MCs) are versatile effector cells of the immune system, characterized by a large content of secretory granules containing a variety of inflammatory mediators. They are implicated in the host protection toward various external insults, but are mostly well known for their detrimental impact on a variety of pathological conditions, including allergic disorders such as asthma and a range of additional disease settings. Based on this, there is currently a large demand for therapeutic regimens that can dampen the detrimental impact of MCs in these respective pathological conditions. This can be accomplished by several strategies, including targeting of individual mediators released by MCs, blockade of receptors for MC-released compounds, inhibition of MC activation, limiting mast cell growth or by inducing mast cell apoptosis. Here, we review the currently available and emerging regimens to interfere with harmful mast cell activities in asthma and other pathological settings and discuss the advantages and limitations of such strategies.

Keywords

Apoptosis; Cytotoxicity; Inflammation; Mast cells

Published in

Journal of Innate Immunity
2021, volume: 13, pages: 131-147
Publisher: KARGER

SLU Authors

• Pejler, Gunnar

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Uppsala University

UKÄ Subject classification

Immunology in the medical area

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000513582

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/110961