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Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease
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Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cellular Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 73401

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Magda Babina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Interests: mast cells; MRGPRX2; pseudo-allergy; IgE receptor; allergy; skin; atopic dermatitis; anaphylaxis; food allergy; keratinocytes; cytokines; transcription factors; noncoding RNAs

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mast cells (MCs) are widely recognized as effector cells of type I hypersensitivity reactions. Their distinguishing features are typical MC granules filled with potent mediators, including histamine and MC proteases, which can be acutely externalized by degranulation. Also occurring, though less rapidly, is the expression and release—by MCs—of a variety of other mediators, especially cytokines, that can orchestrate innate and adaptive immunity and a spectrum of other pathophysiological processes.

At least in the mouse, mast cell progenitors develop in the yolk sac or the bone marrow, but undergo terminal differentiation in close interaction with neighboring cells within peripheral tissues (like skin, gut, or lung) in which they become resident. Our understanding of the pathways that regulate MC proliferation, differentiation, and survival—from the stages of the earliest multipotent progenitors to the fully mature tissue mast cells—and the factors favoring MCs over other lineages are still rudimentary, especially in humans.

While type I allergic reactions triggered by specific IgE + allergen are fairly well understood, evidence is accumulating that the more recently uncovered Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor type 2 (MRGPRX2) may occupy a similarly important role in clinically relevant MC activation and, therefore, determine MC involvement in health and disease, though the knowledge regarding this remains in its infancy. Therefore, this novel pseudo-allergic/neurogenic route of mast cell activation is currently an area of highly active research.

In this Special Issue of Cells, we are inviting contributions either in the form of original research articles, reviews, or shorter perspective articles on all aspects related to the subject of “Mast Cell Development, Activation, and Contribution to Health and Disease”. Articles with mechanistic and functional insights at either a cellular or molecular level, both in vitro and in vivo, are particularly welcome. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:

* Mast cell heterogeneity and plasticity, including (major and minor) mast cell subsets;
* Mast cell development;
* Mast cell relationship with other hematopoietic lineages;
* Insights into mast cell activation by the allergic and the pseudo-allergic/neurogenic, (MRGPRX2-triggered) route;
* Structure–activity relationships and chemical properties of MRGPRX2 ligands (agonists and antagonists);
* Other mast cell receptors and their contribution to mast cell functional programs;
* Mast cell survival;
* Mast cell signal transduction;
* Transcriptional regulation by transcription factors, epigenetic and other mechanisms, and MC-specific promoters;
* Mast cell mediators and their regulation;
* Mast cell communication with natural neighbor cells;
* Beneficial functions of mast cells that safeguard health;
* Novel deleterious roles of mast cells contributing to pathologies of various natures.

Dr. Magda Babina
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mast cell development/ontogeny
  • allergy
  • pseudo-allergy
  • MRGPRX2
  • IgE
  • mast cell activation
  • mast cell cytokines
  • mast cell granules
  • mast cell transcriptional control
  • intercellular crosstalk

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 3802 KiB  
Article
Authentic and Ectopically Expressed MRGPRX2 Elicit Similar Mechanisms to Stimulate Degranulation of Mast Cells
by Pia Lazki-Hagenbach, Hydar Ali and Ronit Sagi-Eisenberg
Cells 2021, 10(2), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10020376 - 12 Feb 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4529
Abstract
The identification of the Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptors (Mrgpr) as targets of diverse stimuli of mast cells (MCs), including neuropeptides and pseudo-allergy causing drugs, has placed these receptors at a prime position in MC research. However, the species-dependent diversity of these receptors raises the [...] Read more.
The identification of the Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptors (Mrgpr) as targets of diverse stimuli of mast cells (MCs), including neuropeptides and pseudo-allergy causing drugs, has placed these receptors at a prime position in MC research. However, the species-dependent diversity of these receptors raises the need for an adequate model for investigating the human MRGPRX2 receptor. RBL-2H3 cells, stably transfected with MRGPRX2 (RBL-MRGPRX2), are increasingly used for this purpose. Therefore, we investigated whether ectopically expressed MRGPRX2, in rat MCs, recapitulates its authentic signaling. To this purpose, we performed a broad comparative study of the responses of human LAD-2 MCs that express MRGPRX2 endogenously, and RBL-MRGPRX2 cells to compound 48/80, substance P and vancomycin, three proto-type ligands of MRGPRX2. We demonstrate that both models share similar dose–response relationships, kinetics and sensitivities to a wide range of signaling targeting drugs. Therefore, our results indicate that ectopically expressed MRGPRX2 preserves the signaling pathways employed to evoke human MC degranulation, which we show to rely on ERK1/2 MAP kinases, phospholipase C (PLC) and autophagy-related signaling. Importantly, we also show that the underlying mechanisms of MRGPRX2-triggered MC degranulation in either LAD-2 or RBL-MRGPRX2 cells are different from those elicited by its rodent orthologs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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Graphical abstract

17 pages, 9952 KiB  
Article
Lung Mast Cells Have a High Constitutive Expression of Carboxypeptidase A3 mRNA That Is Independent from Granule-Stored CPA3
by Premkumar Siddhuraj, Carl-Magnus Clausson, Caroline Sanden, Manar Alyamani, Mohammad Kadivar, Jan Marsal, Joanna Wallengren, Leif Bjermer and Jonas S. Erjefält
Cells 2021, 10(2), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10020309 - 03 Feb 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2752
Abstract
The mast cell granule metalloprotease CPA3 is proposed to have important tissue homeostatic functions. However, the basal CPA3 mRNA and protein expression among mast cell populations has remained poorly investigated. Using a novel histology-based methodology that yields quantitative data on mRNA and protein [...] Read more.
The mast cell granule metalloprotease CPA3 is proposed to have important tissue homeostatic functions. However, the basal CPA3 mRNA and protein expression among mast cell populations has remained poorly investigated. Using a novel histology-based methodology that yields quantitative data on mRNA and protein expression at a single-cell level, the present study maps CPA3 mRNA and protein throughout the MCT and MCTC populations in healthy skin, gut and lung tissues. MCTC cells had both a higher frequency of CPA3 protein-containing cells and a higher protein-staining intensity than the MCT population. Among the tissues, skin MCs had highest CPA3 protein intensity. The expression pattern at the mRNA level was reversed. Lung mast cells had the highest mean CPA3 mRNA staining. Intriguingly, the large alveolar MCT population, that lack CPA3 protein, had uniquely high CPA3 mRNA intensity. A broader multi-tissue RNA analysis confirmed the uniquely high CPA3 mRNA quantities in the lung and corroborated the dissociation between chymase and CPA3 at the mRNA level. Taken together, our novel data suggest a hitherto underestimated contribution of mucosal-like MCT to baseline CPA3 mRNA production. The functional consequence of this high constitutive expression now reveals an important area for further research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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11 pages, 1587 KiB  
Communication
MRGPRX2 Activation by Rocuronium: Insights from Studies with Human Skin Mast Cells and Missense Variants
by Chalatip Chompunud Na Ayudhya, Aetas Amponnawarat, Saptarshi Roy, Carole A. Oskeritzian and Hydar Ali
Cells 2021, 10(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10010156 - 15 Jan 2021
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 2814
Abstract
Perioperative hypersensitivity (POH) to the neuromuscular blocking drug (NMBD) rocuronium was previously thought to be IgE and mast cell (MC)-mediated. However, the recent seminal observation that rocuronium induces degranulation in murine peritoneal MCs (PMCs) via Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor B2 (MrgprB2) led to [...] Read more.
Perioperative hypersensitivity (POH) to the neuromuscular blocking drug (NMBD) rocuronium was previously thought to be IgE and mast cell (MC)-mediated. However, the recent seminal observation that rocuronium induces degranulation in murine peritoneal MCs (PMCs) via Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor B2 (MrgprB2) led to the idea that POH to this drug involves the activation of MRGPRX2 (human ortholog of MrgprB2). Furthermore, based on the demonstration that a patient with POH to rocuronium displayed three missense mutations (M196I, L226P and L237P) in MRGPRX2’s transmembrane domains, it was proposed that this hypersensitivity reaction resulted from aberrant activation of this receptor. We found that rocuronium at 20 µg/mL caused degranulation in mouse PMCs via MrgprB2 but required at least 500 µg/mL to induce degranulation in human MCs via MRGPRX2. Furthermore, RBL-2H3 cells transiently expressing M196I, L226P and L237P variants did not display enhanced degranulation in response to rocuronium when compared to the wild-type receptor. These findings provide the first demonstration that rocuronium induces degranulation in human MCs via MRGPRX2. Furthermore, the important differences between MrgprB2 and MRGPRX2 and the inability of rocuronium to induce enhanced response in cells expressing MRGPRX2 variants suggest that the mechanism of its POH is more complex than previously thought. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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19 pages, 1836 KiB  
Article
IL-33 and Superantigenic Activation of Human Lung Mast Cells Induce the Release of Angiogenic and Lymphangiogenic Factors
by Leonardo Cristinziano, Remo Poto, Gjada Criscuolo, Anne Lise Ferrara, Maria Rosaria Galdiero, Luca Modestino, Stefania Loffredo, Amato de Paulis, Gianni Marone, Giuseppe Spadaro and Gilda Varricchi
Cells 2021, 10(1), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10010145 - 12 Jan 2021
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 3066
Abstract
Human lung mast cells (HLMCs) express the high-affinity receptor FcεRI for IgE and are strategically located in different compartments of human lung, where they play a role in several inflammatory disorders and cancer. Immunoglobulin superantigens (e.g., protein A of Staphylococcus aureus and protein [...] Read more.
Human lung mast cells (HLMCs) express the high-affinity receptor FcεRI for IgE and are strategically located in different compartments of human lung, where they play a role in several inflammatory disorders and cancer. Immunoglobulin superantigens (e.g., protein A of Staphylococcus aureus and protein L of Peptostreptococcus magnus) bind to the variable regions of either the heavy (VH3) or light chain (κ) of IgE. IL-33 is a cytokine expressed by epithelial cells that exerts pleiotropic functions in the lung. The present study investigated whether immunoglobulin superantigens protein A and protein L and IL-33 caused the release of inflammatory (histamine), angiogenic (VEGF-A) and lymphangiogenic (VEGF-C) factors from HLMCs. The results show that protein A and protein L induced the rapid (30 min) release of preformed histamine from HLMCs. By contrast, IL-33 did not induce the release of histamine from lung mast cells. Prolonged incubation (12 h) of HLMCs with superantigens and IL-33 induced the release of VEGF-A and VEGF-C. Preincubation with IL-33 potentiated the superantigenic release of histamine, angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors from HLMCs. Our results suggest that IL-33 might enhance the inflammatory, angiogenic and lymphangiogenic activities of lung mast cells in pulmonary disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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17 pages, 4096 KiB  
Article
Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Promotes MRGPRX2-Triggered Degranulation of Skin Mast Cells in a STAT5-Dependent Manner with Further Support from JNK
by Magda Babina, Zhao Wang, Kristin Franke and Torsten Zuberbier
Cells 2021, 10(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10010102 - 08 Jan 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3547
Abstract
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is released by epithelial cells following disturbed homeostasis to act as “alarmin” and driver of Th2-immunity. Aberrant TSLP expression is a hallmark of atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Mast cells (MCs) are overabundant in AD lesions and show [...] Read more.
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is released by epithelial cells following disturbed homeostasis to act as “alarmin” and driver of Th2-immunity. Aberrant TSLP expression is a hallmark of atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Mast cells (MCs) are overabundant in AD lesions and show signs of degranulation, but it remains unknown whether TSLP contributes to granule discharge. Degranulation of skin MCs proceeds via two major routes, i.e., FcεRI-dependent (allergic) and MRGPRX2-mediated (pseudo-allergic/neurogenic). Evidence is accumulating that MRGPRX2 may be crucial in the context of skin diseases, including eczema. The current study reveals TSLP as a novel priming factor of human skin MCs. Interestingly, TSLP selectively cooperates with MRGPRX2 to support granule discharge, while it does not impact spontaneous or FcεRI-driven exocytosis. TSLP-assisted histamine liberation triggered by compound 48/80 or Substance P, two canonical MRGPRX2 agonists, was accompanied by an increase in CD107a+ cells (a MC activation marker). The latter process was less potent, however, and detectable only at the later of two time points, suggesting TSLP may prolong opening of the granules. Mechanistically, TSLP elicited phosphorylation of STAT5 and JNK in skin MCs and the reinforced degranulation critically depended on STAT5 activity, while JNK had a contributory role. Results from pharmacological inhibition were confirmed by RNA-interference, whereby silencing of STAT5 completely abolished the priming effect of TSLP on MRGPRX2-mediated degranulation. Collectively, TSLP is the first factor to favor MRGPRX2- over FcεRI-triggered MC activation. The relevance of TSLP, MCs and MRGPRX2 to pruritis and atopic skin pathology indicates broad repercussions of the identified connection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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19 pages, 1278 KiB  
Article
How Relevant Are Bone Marrow-Derived Mast Cells (BMMCs) as Models for Tissue Mast Cells? A Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of BMMCs and Peritoneal Mast Cells
by Srinivas Akula, Aida Paivandy, Zhirong Fu, Michael Thorpe, Gunnar Pejler and Lars Hellman
Cells 2020, 9(9), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9092118 - 17 Sep 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5063
Abstract
Bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) are often used as a model system for studies of the role of MCs in health and disease. These cells are relatively easy to obtain from total bone marrow cells by culturing under the influence of IL-3 or [...] Read more.
Bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) are often used as a model system for studies of the role of MCs in health and disease. These cells are relatively easy to obtain from total bone marrow cells by culturing under the influence of IL-3 or stem cell factor (SCF). After 3 to 4 weeks in culture, a nearly homogenous cell population of toluidine blue-positive cells are often obtained. However, the question is how relevant equivalents these cells are to normal tissue MCs. By comparing the total transcriptome of purified peritoneal MCs with BMMCs, here we obtained a comparative view of these cells. We found several important transcripts that were expressed at very high levels in peritoneal MCs, but were almost totally absent from the BMMCs, including the major chymotryptic granule protease Mcpt4, the neurotrophin receptor Gfra2, the substance P receptor Mrgprb2, the metalloprotease Adamts9 and the complement factor 2 (C2). In addition, there were a number of other molecules that were expressed at much higher levels in peritoneal MCs than in BMMCs, including the transcription factors Myb and Meis2, the MilR1 (Allergin), Hdc (Histidine decarboxylase), Tarm1 and the IL-3 receptor alpha chain. We also found many transcripts that were highly expressed in BMMCs but were absent or expressed at low levels in the peritoneal MCs. However, there were also numerous MC-related transcripts that were expressed at similar levels in the two populations of cells, but almost absent in peritoneal macrophages and B cells. These results reveal that the transcriptome of BMMCs shows many similarities, but also many differences to that of tissue MCs. BMMCs can thereby serve as suitable models in many settings concerning the biology of MCs, but our findings also emphasize that great care should be taken when extrapolating findings from BMMCs to the in vivo function of tissue-resident MCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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14 pages, 3545 KiB  
Article
Direct Inhibition of the Allergic Effector Response by Raw Cow’s Milk—An Extensive In Vitro Assessment
by Suzanne Abbring, Bart R. J. Blokhuis, Julie L. Miltenburg, Kiri G. J. Romano Olmedo, Johan Garssen, Frank A. Redegeld and Betty C. A. M. van Esch
Cells 2020, 9(5), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9051258 - 19 May 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2992
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the allergy-protective effects of raw cow’s milk are poorly understood. The current focus is mainly on the modulation of T cell responses. In the present study, we investigated whether raw cow’s milk can also directly inhibit mast cells, the key [...] Read more.
The mechanisms underlying the allergy-protective effects of raw cow’s milk are poorly understood. The current focus is mainly on the modulation of T cell responses. In the present study, we investigated whether raw cow’s milk can also directly inhibit mast cells, the key effector cells in IgE-mediated allergic responses. Primary murine bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) and peritoneal mast cells (PMC), were incubated with raw milk, heated raw milk, or shop milk, prior to IgE-mediated activation. The effects on mast cell activation and underlying signaling events were assessed. Raw milk was furthermore fractionated based on molecular size and obtained fractions were tested for their capacity to reduce IgE-mediated mast cell activation. Coincubation of BMMC and PMC with raw milk prior to activation reduced β-hexosaminidase release and IL-6 and IL-13 production, while heated raw milk or shop milk had no effect. The reduced mast cell activation coincided with a reduced intracellular calcium influx. In addition, SYK and ERK phosphorylation levels, both downstream signaling events of the FcεRI, were lower in raw milk-treated BMMC compared to control BMMC, although differences did not reach full significance. Raw milk-treated BMMC furthermore retained membrane-bound IgE expression after allergen stimulation. Raw milk fractionation showed that the heat-sensitive raw milk components responsible for the reduced mast cell activation are likely to have a molecular weight of > 37 kDa. The present study demonstrates that raw cow’s milk can also directly affect mast cell activation. These results extend the current knowledge on mechanisms via which raw cow’s milk prevents allergic diseases, which is crucial for the development of new, microbiologically safe, nutritional strategies to reduce allergic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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25 pages, 1814 KiB  
Article
Quantitative In-Depth Analysis of the Mouse Mast Cell Transcriptome Reveals Organ-Specific Mast Cell Heterogeneity
by Srinivas Akula, Aida Paivandy, Zhirong Fu, Michael Thorpe, Gunnar Pejler and Lars Hellman
Cells 2020, 9(1), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9010211 - 14 Jan 2020
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5255
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are primarily resident hematopoietic tissue cells that are localized at external and internal surfaces of the body where they act in the first line of defense. MCs are found in all studied vertebrates and have also been identified in tunicates, [...] Read more.
Mast cells (MCs) are primarily resident hematopoietic tissue cells that are localized at external and internal surfaces of the body where they act in the first line of defense. MCs are found in all studied vertebrates and have also been identified in tunicates, an early chordate. To obtain a detailed insight into the biology of MCs, here we analyzed the transcriptome of MCs from different mouse organs by RNA-seq and PCR-based transcriptomics. We show that MCs at different tissue locations differ substantially in their levels of transcripts coding for the most abundant MC granule proteins, even within the connective tissue type, or mucosal MC niches. We also demonstrate that transcript levels for the major granule proteins, including the various MC-restricted proteases and the heparin core protein, can be several orders of magnitude higher than those coding for various surface receptors and enzymes involved in protease activation, as well as enzymes involved in the synthesis of heparin, histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins. Interestingly, our analyses revealed an almost complete absence in MCs of transcripts coding for cytokines at baseline conditions, indicating that cytokines are primarily produced by activated MCs. Bone marrow-derived MCs (BMMCs) are often used as equivalents of tissue MCs. Here, we show that these cells differ substantially from tissue MCs with regard to their transcriptome. Notably, they showed a transcriptome indicative of relatively immature cells, both with respect to the expression of granule proteases and of various enzymes involved in the processing/synthesis of granule compounds, indicating that care should be taken when extrapolating findings from BMMCs to the in vivo function of tissue-resident MCs. Furthermore, the latter finding indicates that the development of fully mature tissue-resident MCs requires a cytokine milieu beyond what is needed for in vitro differentiation of BMMCs. Altogether, this study provides a comprehensive quantitative view of the transcriptome profile of MCs resident at different tissue locations that builds nicely on previous studies of both the mouse and human transcriptome, and form a solid base for future evolutionary studies of the role of MCs in vertebrate immunity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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Review

Jump to: Research

17 pages, 735 KiB  
Review
P2X Receptor-Dependent Modulation of Mast Cell and Glial Cell Activities in Neuroinflammation
by Barbora Salcman, Karen Affleck and Silvia Bulfone-Paus
Cells 2021, 10(9), 2282; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10092282 - 02 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3812
Abstract
Localisation of mast cells (MCs) at the abluminal side of blood vessels in the brain favours their interaction with glial cells, neurons, and endothelial cells, resulting in the activation of these cells and the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. In turn, stimulation of glial [...] Read more.
Localisation of mast cells (MCs) at the abluminal side of blood vessels in the brain favours their interaction with glial cells, neurons, and endothelial cells, resulting in the activation of these cells and the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. In turn, stimulation of glial cells, such as microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes may result in the modulation of MC activities. MCs, microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes all express P2X receptors (P2XRs) family members that are selectively engaged by ATP. As increased concentrations of extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) are present in the brain in neuropathological conditions, P2XR activation in MCs and glial cells contributes to the control of their communication and amplification of the inflammatory response. In this review we discuss P2XR-mediated MC activation, its bi-directional effect on microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes and role in neuroinflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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21 pages, 1235 KiB  
Review
Mast Cells and Skin and Breast Cancers: A Complicated and Microenvironment-Dependent Role
by Mark R. Hanes, Carman A. Giacomantonio and Jean S. Marshall
Cells 2021, 10(5), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10050986 - 23 Apr 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6667
Abstract
Mast cells are important sentinel cells in host defense against infection and major effector cells in allergic disease. The role of these cells in cancer settings has been widely debated. The diverse range of mast cell functions in both immunity and tissue remodeling [...] Read more.
Mast cells are important sentinel cells in host defense against infection and major effector cells in allergic disease. The role of these cells in cancer settings has been widely debated. The diverse range of mast cell functions in both immunity and tissue remodeling events, such as angiogenesis, provides multiple opportunities for mast cells to modify the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we consider both skin and breast cancer settings to address the controversy surrounding the importance of mast cells in the host response to tumors. We specifically address the key mediators produced by mast cells which impact tumor development. The role of environmental challenges in modifying mast cell responses and opportunities to modify mast cell responses to enhance anti-tumor immunity are also considered. While the mast cell’s role in many cancer contexts is complicated and poorly understood, the activities of these tissue resident and radioresistant cells can provide important opportunities to enhance anti-cancer responses and limit cancer development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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17 pages, 935 KiB  
Review
Cellular Energetics of Mast Cell Development and Activation
by Ryan P. Mendoza, Dylan H. Fudge and Jared M. Brown
Cells 2021, 10(3), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030524 - 02 Mar 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7245
Abstract
Mast cells are essential first responder granulocytes in the innate immune system that are well known for their role in type 1 immune hypersensitivity reactions. Although mostly recognized for their role in allergies, mast cells have a range of influences on other systems [...] Read more.
Mast cells are essential first responder granulocytes in the innate immune system that are well known for their role in type 1 immune hypersensitivity reactions. Although mostly recognized for their role in allergies, mast cells have a range of influences on other systems throughout the body and can respond to a wide range of agonists to properly prime an appropriate immune response. Mast cells have a dynamic energy metabolism to allow rapid responsiveness to their energetic demands. However, our understanding of mast cell metabolism and its impact on mast cell activation and development is still in its infancy. Mast cell metabolism during stimulation and development shifts between both arms of metabolism: catabolic metabolism—such as glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation—and anabolic metabolism—such as the pentose phosphate pathway. The potential for metabolic pathway shifts to precede and perhaps even control activation and differentiation provides an exciting opportunity to explore energy metabolism for clues in deciphering mast cell function. In this review, we discuss literature pertaining to metabolic environments and fluctuations during different sources of activation, especially IgE mediated vs. non-IgE mediated, and mast cell development, including progenitor cell types leading to the well-known resident mast cell. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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22 pages, 793 KiB  
Review
Harnessing the Power of Mast Cells in unconventional Immunotherapy Strategies and Vaccine Adjuvants
by Steven Willows and Marianna Kulka
Cells 2020, 9(12), 2713; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9122713 - 18 Dec 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3646
Abstract
Mast cells are long-lived, granular, myeloid-derived leukocytes that have significant protective and repair functions in tissues. Mast cells sense disruptions in the local microenvironment and are first responders to physical, chemical and biological insults. When activated, mast cells release growth factors, proteases, chemotactic [...] Read more.
Mast cells are long-lived, granular, myeloid-derived leukocytes that have significant protective and repair functions in tissues. Mast cells sense disruptions in the local microenvironment and are first responders to physical, chemical and biological insults. When activated, mast cells release growth factors, proteases, chemotactic proteins and cytokines thereby mobilizing and amplifying the reactions of the innate and adaptive immune system. Mast cells are therefore significant regulators of homeostatic functions and may be essential in microenvironmental changes during pathogen invasion and disease. During infection by helminths, bacteria and viruses, mast cells release antimicrobial factors to facilitate pathogen expulsion and eradication. Mast cell-derived proteases and growth factors protect tissues from insect/snake bites and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Finally, mast cells release mediators that promote wound healing in the inflammatory, proliferative and remodelling stages. Since mast cells have such a powerful repertoire of functions, targeting mast cells may be an effective new strategy for immunotherapy of disease and design of novel vaccine adjuvants. In this review, we will examine how certain strategies that specifically target and activate mast cells can be used to treat and resolve infections, augment vaccines and heal wounds. Although these strategies may be protective in certain circumstances, mast cells activation may be deleterious if not carefully controlled and any therapeutic strategy using mast cell activators must be carefully explored. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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19 pages, 1658 KiB  
Review
The Art of Mast Cell Adhesion
by Joanna Pastwińska, Paulina Żelechowska, Aurelia Walczak-Drzewiecka, Ewa Brzezińska-Błaszczyk and Jarosław Dastych
Cells 2020, 9(12), 2664; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9122664 - 11 Dec 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3335
Abstract
Cell adhesion is one of the basic phenomena occurring in a living organism, affecting many other processes such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, or cell viability. Mast cells (MCs) are important elements involved in defending the host against various pathogens and regulating inflammatory processes. [...] Read more.
Cell adhesion is one of the basic phenomena occurring in a living organism, affecting many other processes such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, or cell viability. Mast cells (MCs) are important elements involved in defending the host against various pathogens and regulating inflammatory processes. Due to numerous mediators, they are contributing to the modulation of many basic cellular processes in a variety of cells, including the expression and functioning of different adhesive molecules. They also express themselves many adhesive proteins, including ICAM-1, ICAM-3, VCAM-1, integrins, L-selectin, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin. These molecules enable MCs to interact with other cells and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), creating structures such as adherens junctions and focal adhesion sites, and triggering a signaling cascade. A thorough understanding of these cellular mechanisms can create a better understanding of MC biology and reveal new goals for MC targeted therapy. This review will focus on the current knowledge of adhesion mechanisms with the involvement of MCs. It also provides insight into the influence of MCs or MC-derived mediators on the adhesion molecule expression in different cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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19 pages, 2082 KiB  
Review
Mast Cell Functions Linking Innate Sensing to Adaptive Immunity
by Konstantinos Katsoulis-Dimitriou, Johanna Kotrba, Martin Voss, Jan Dudeck and Anne Dudeck
Cells 2020, 9(12), 2538; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9122538 - 25 Nov 2020
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6827
Abstract
Although mast cells (MCs) are known as key drivers of type I allergic reactions, there is increasing evidence for their critical role in host defense. MCs not only play an important role in initiating innate immune responses, but also influence the onset, kinetics, [...] Read more.
Although mast cells (MCs) are known as key drivers of type I allergic reactions, there is increasing evidence for their critical role in host defense. MCs not only play an important role in initiating innate immune responses, but also influence the onset, kinetics, and amplitude of the adaptive arm of immunity or fine-tune the mode of the adaptive reaction. Intriguingly, MCs have been shown to affect T-cell activation by direct interaction or indirectly, by modifying the properties of antigen-presenting cells, and can even modulate lymph node-borne adaptive responses remotely from the periphery. In this review, we provide a summary of recent findings that explain how MCs act as a link between the innate and adaptive immunity, all the way from sensing inflammatory insult to orchestrating the final outcome of the immune response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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39 pages, 3886 KiB  
Review
Signal Transduction Pathways Activated by Innate Immunity in Mast Cells: Translating Sensing of Changes into Specific Responses
by Zyanya P. Espinosa-Riquer, Deisy Segura-Villalobos, Itzel G. Ramírez-Moreno, Marian Jesabel Pérez Rodríguez, Mónica Lamas and Claudia Gonzalez-Espinosa
Cells 2020, 9(11), 2411; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9112411 - 04 Nov 2020
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4673
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) constitute an essential cell lineage that participates in innate and adaptive immune responses and whose phenotype and function are influenced by tissue-specific conditions. Their mechanisms of activation in type I hypersensitivity reactions have been the subject of multiple studies, but [...] Read more.
Mast cells (MCs) constitute an essential cell lineage that participates in innate and adaptive immune responses and whose phenotype and function are influenced by tissue-specific conditions. Their mechanisms of activation in type I hypersensitivity reactions have been the subject of multiple studies, but the signaling pathways behind their activation by innate immunity stimuli are not so well described. Here, we review the recent evidence regarding the main molecular elements and signaling pathways connecting the innate immune receptors and hypoxic microenvironment to cytokine synthesis and the secretion of soluble or exosome-contained mediators in this cell type. When known, the positive and negative control mechanisms of those pathways are presented, together with their possible implications for the understanding of mast cell-driven chronic inflammation. Finally, we discuss the relevance of the knowledge about signaling in this cell type in the recognition of MCs as central elements on innate immunity, whose remarkable plasticity converts them in sensors of micro-environmental discontinuities and controllers of tissue homeostasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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15 pages, 2603 KiB  
Review
Do Mast Cells Have a Role in Tendon Healing and Inflammation?
by Md Abdul Alim, Magnus Peterson and Gunnar Pejler
Cells 2020, 9(5), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9051134 - 04 May 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5699
Abstract
Understanding the links between the tendon healing process, inflammatory mechanisms, and tendon homeostasis/pain after tissue damage is crucial in developing novel therapeutics for human tendon disorders. The inflammatory mechanisms that are operative in response to tendon injury are not fully understood, but it [...] Read more.
Understanding the links between the tendon healing process, inflammatory mechanisms, and tendon homeostasis/pain after tissue damage is crucial in developing novel therapeutics for human tendon disorders. The inflammatory mechanisms that are operative in response to tendon injury are not fully understood, but it has been suggested that inflammation occurring in response to nerve signaling, i.e., neurogenic inflammation, has a pathogenic role. The mechanisms driving such neurogenic inflammation are presently not clear. However, it has recently been demonstrated that mast cells present within the injured tendon can express glutamate receptors, raising the possibility that mast cells may be sensitive to glutamate signaling and thereby modulate neurogenic inflammation following tissue injury. In this review, we discuss the role of mast cells in the communication with peripheral nerves, and their emerging role in tendon healing and inflammation after injury. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mast Cell Development, Activation and Contribution to Health and Disease)
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