The Mast Cell

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

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2. Introduction

   • Domenico Ribatti

   Pages 1-3

3. Mast Cell Ontogeny

   • Domenico Ribatti

   Pages 5-14

4. The Staining of Mast Cells

   • Domenico Ribatti

   Pages 15-23

5. Mast Cell Heterogeneity

   • Domenico Ribatti

   Pages 25-34

6. Mast Cell Biology and Functions

   • Domenico Ribatti

   Pages 35-49

7. Mast Cells in Arteriogenesis

   • Domenico Ribatti

   Pages 51-57

8. Mast Cells in Primary Systemic Vasculitides

   • Domenico Ribatti

   Pages 59-66

9. Mast Cells in Blood-Brain Barrier Alterations and Neurodegenerative Diseases

   • Domenico Ribatti

   Pages 67-74

10. Mast Cells and Basophils: A Link Between Angiogenesis and Inflammation in Allergic Diseases

    • Domenico Ribatti

    Pages 75-80

11. Mast Cells in Tumor Fate

    • Domenico Ribatti

    Pages 81-87

12. Mast Cells in Tumor Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis

    • Domenico Ribatti

    Pages 89-101

13. Mast Cells as Therapeutic Target in Cancer

    • Domenico Ribatti

    Pages 103-109

14. Back Matter

    Pages 111-112

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Mast cells (MC) are phylogenetically old cells which are distributed throughout the human organism. MC are found in almost all of the major organs and tissues of the body, particularly in association with connective tissue structures such as blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves, and in proximity to surfaces that interface the external environment, such as those of the respiratory and gastrointestinal system and the skin. This selective accumulation at tissue sites where foreign material attempts to invade the host suggests that MC are among the first cells to initiate defensive mechanisms. MC have long been recognized as key cells of type I hypersensitivity reactions. Several lines of evidence, however, indicate that they not only express critical effector functions in classic IgE-associated allergic disorders, but also play important roles in host defense against parasites, bacteria and perhaps even viruses. Indeed, it is now clear that MC can contribute to host defense in the context of either acquired or innate immune responses through the release of a myriad of pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory molecules and the expression of a wide spectrum of surface receptors for cytokines and chemokines. Moreover, there is growing evidence that MC exert distinct non-immunological functions, playing a relevant role in tissue homeostasis, remodeling and fibrosis as well as in the processes of tissue angiogenesis.

• Angiogenesis
• Basophils
• Mast cell
• Tumor growth
• Vascultitides

• Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy

  Domenico Ribatti

The author, Domenico Ribatti, Full professor of the University of Bari, is an expert in the field of Mast Cells with more than 800 publications.

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