Mast Cells

Mast cell

^{©Nottingham Uni 2008}

Mast cells

^{©Nottingham Uni 2008}

Introduction

Mast cells are derived from the same stem cell line as basophils and while they are similar to basophils they are not identical. Mast cells are found in connective tissue and are larger than other leukocytes at 15-20µm. They have cytoplasm containing a high number of large, intensely staining basophilic granules which mask the nucleus.

Development

Mast cells colony forming units (CFU) develop in the bone marrow from the myeloid stem cell (CFU-GEMM) under the stimulation of IL-3 and Stem Cell Factor (SCF). Then under the continual stimulation with SCF, and with the additional stimulation with IL-6, the immature mast cells are formed. These then enter circulation where they remain undifferentiated. On migration into tissue they then differentiate, under stimulation by IL-4, and produce their granules. Once in the tissue mast cells may last for weeks to years.

Granules

Mast cells can be classified by the presence or lack of tryptase and/or chymase. MC_TC mast cells have granules that contain tryptase and chymase (found mainly in skin and intestinal submucosa) while MC_T mast cells have granules containing only tryptase (found mainly in respiratory tissue and intestinal mucosa). They can also be classified by their location within the body. Mast cells in connective tissue are larger, have the proteoglycan heparin and contain high amounts of histamine while mucosal mast cells contain less histamine and have the proteoglycan chondroitin sulphate.

More generally the granules contain:

• Preformed mediators such as serotonin, histamine, proteoglycans, heparin and serine proteases (tryptase and/or chymase)
• Lipid mediators such as leukotrienes and prostaglandin D2
• Cytokines: IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IL-16 and TNF-α

• Chemotactic factors for both neutrophils and eosinophils

Histamine increases vascular permeability, mucous production and smooth muscle tone in the respiratory tract and is responsible for the itch sensation in the skin. Heparin is an anticoagulant and binds with antithrombin III and platelet factor IV to block coagulation factors. Leukotrienes like histamine are responsible for contraction of respiratory smooth muscle. Chymase plays a role in the production of angiotensin II.

Mast Cell granules are thought to produce a ground substance to facilitate collagen formation which occurs during the repair of an injury.

Actions

Mast cells are involved in the inflammatory response and play a key part in anaphylaxis.

IgE released by plasma cells in response to antigens bind to F_C receptors on the mast cell surface. This stimulates the mast cells to degranulate. The granule contents cause blood vessel permeability to increase and, along with chemotactic factors, this enhances the migration of other leukocytes to the area. The production of angiotensin II by chymase causes systemic vasoconstriction in response to vascular damage.

In pathology

• Classically a cell involved in acute inflammation
• Mast cell tumours of the intestine, liver and skin.

Mast Cells Learning Resources
PowerPoint Selection of relevant PowerPoint tutorials	Tutorial about connective tissues, with slides on Mast Cells