This document discusses mast cells, including their role in health and disease. It begins by describing mast cell activation through IgE receptors or other stimuli, which causes the release of mediators like histamine. These mediators contribute to wound healing, angiogenesis, and defense against infection. However, mast cell activation also causes immediate hypersensitivity reactions and exacerbates conditions like arthritis and coronary disease. The document concludes by discussing mast cell disorders like mastocytosis.

1. Presenter :Dr Karishma A. Korgaonker
Moderator : Dr . Gauri Metkar
MAST CELLS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

2.  Introduction
 Activation of mast cells
 Mast cell mediators
 Mast cell in health
>Wound healing
>Angiogenesis
 Mast cell in disease
>Immediate hypersensitivity reaction
>Infection
>Inflammation
• Mast cell disorders
• Summary

3. Introduction
 Dr Paul Ehrlich in 1878
 Large mononuclear cells
 Cytoplasmic membrane bound granules - contain a variety of
biologically active mediators and sulphated
glycosaminoglycans
 Bone marrow–derived cells-- originate from CD34+/CD117+
multipotent hematopoietic progenitor
 They are abundant near blood vessels and nerves and in
subepithelial tissues

5. Mast cells function
 Participate in defence against bacterial and parasitic
infection
 Develop immediate hypersensitivity reactions
 Take part in reparation of tissues - angiogenesis,
production of intercellular substances

6.  Introduction
 Activation of mast cells
 Mast cell mediators
 Mast cell in health
>Wound healing
>Angiogenesis
 Mast cell in disease
>Immediate hypersensitivity reaction
>Infection
>Inflammation
• Mast cell disorders
• Summary

7. Activation of mast cells
 Cross-linking of high-affinity IgE Fc receptors
 Complement components C5a and C3a
 Mast cell secretagogues include some chemokines (e.g.,
IL-8), drugs such as codeine and morphine, adenosine,
mellitin (present in bee venom), and physical stimuli (e.g.,
heat, cold, sunlight).

8. Activation of mast cells
 Mast cells express a high-affinity receptor, called FcεRI,
that is specific for the Fc portion of IgE, and avidly binds
IgE antibodies.
 In the first step in this sequence, antigen (allergen) binds
to the IgE antibodies previously attached to the mast cells
 The bridging of the Fcε receptors activates signal
transduction pathways from the cytoplasmic portion of the
receptors.

9. Activation of mast cells
 These signals lead to mast cell degranulation with the
discharge of preformed (primary) mediators that are stored
in the granules, and de novo synthesis of secondary
mediators

10. Mast cell activation

13.  Introduction
 Activation of mast cells
 Mast cell mediators
 Mast cell in health
>Wound healing
>Angiogenesis
 Mast cell in disease
>Immediate hypersensitivity reaction
>Infection
>Inflammation
• Mast cell disorders
• Summary

15. Mast cell mediators

16. Mast cell mediators
• Vasoactive amines:
The most important mast cell–derived amine is histamine.
= intense smooth muscle contraction,
=increased vascular permeability, and
=increased mucus secretion by nasal, bronchial, and gastric
glands.

17. Mast cell mediators
• Enzymes:
= contained in the granule matrix
= include neutral proteases (chymase, tryptase) and several
acid hydrolases.
= cause tissue damage and lead to the generation of kinins
and activated components of complement (e.g., C3a)

18. Mast cell mediators
Proteoglycans:
= include heparin (anticoagulant) and chondroitin sulfate.
= serve to package and store the amines in the granules.

19. Lipid Mediators.
 are synthesized by sequential reactions in the mast cell
membranes
 = lead to activation of phospholipase A2, an enzyme that
acts on membrane phospholipids to yield arachidonic
acid.
 =This is the parent compound from which leukotrienes
and prostaglandins are derived by the 5-lipoxygenase and
cyclooxygenase pathways

20. Lipid Mediators.
 Leukotrienes:
C4 and D4 --the most potent vasoactive and spasmogenic
agents known.
B4 --is highly chemotactic for neutrophils, eosinophils, and
monocytes.

21. Lipid Mediators.
Prostaglandin D2 :
= most abundant mediator produced in mast cells by the
cyclooxygenase pathway.
= intense bronchospasm as well as increased mucus
secretion.

22. Lipid Mediators.
• Platelet-activating factor (PAF):
= platelet aggregation, release of histamine, bronchospasm,
increased vascular permeability, and vasodilation.
=chemotactic for neutrophils and eosinophils,
=at high concentrations it activates the inflammatory cells,
causing them to degranulate.

23. Cytokines.
 play an important role in immediate hypersensitivity
reactions.
 The cytokines include:
>TNF, IL-1, and chemokines - promote leukocyte
recruitment
>IL-4- which amplifies the TH2 response.

24.  Introduction
 Activation of mast cells
 Mast cell mediators
 Mast cell in health
>Wound healing
>Angiogenesis
 Mast cell in disease
>Immediate hypersensitivity reaction
>Infection
>Inflammation
• Mast cell disorders
• Summary

25. Woundhealingandangiogenesis
 MC’s mediator influence-
 All phase of wound healing
 Acute inflammatory
 Promote influx of inflammatory cells to injury site
 Proliferative phase
 Re-epithelialization & angiogenesis
 Release many angiogenic factors to induce revasculaization of
damage tissue
 Heparin from MC stimulates endothelial cell migration to form
new blood vessel

26. Woundhealingandangiogenesis
 MC tryptase stimulates vessel tube formation & enhances growth
of microvascular endothelial cells
 MC chymase promotes angiogenesis through effects of
angiotensin II
 Generate growth factors : fibroblast growth factor, vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor
(PDGF), nerve growth factor (NGF)
all growth factors induce proliferation of epithelial cells
& fibroblasts

27. Woundhealingandangiogenesis
 Remodeling phase
 As fibroblast expand in previous phase, they deposit
collagen & other extracellular matrix proteins  molded and
remodeled into scar tissue
 Hair follicle recycling
 MC histamine, TNF, substance P involved are thought to
contribute in hair follicle recycling

28. Woundhealingandangiogenesis
 Bone remodeling
 MCs are source of osteopontin, glycoprotein component of bone
matrix, that contributes to bone resorption & calcification
 In human systemic mastocytosis, bone turnover is accelerated 
enhance bone loss

29.  Introduction
 Activation of mast cells
 Mast cell mediators
 Mast cell in health
>Wound healing
>Angiogenesis
 Mast cell in disease
>Immediate hypersensitivity reaction
>Infection
>Inflammation
• Mast cell disorders
• Summary

31. Immediate hypersensitivityreactions
 Histamine and leukotrienes, are released rapidly from
sensitized mast cells and are responsible for the intense
immediate reactions characterized by edema, mucus
secretion, and smooth muscle contraction

32. Mast Cells vs. Allergens
 Allergen detection leads to mast cell histamine
release
 In skin, this leads to wheal and flare reactions.
 In the gut ,leads to intestinal hyper-permeability,
smooth muscle contraction, altered water and ion
transport, and intestinal symptoms.
• In the lungs, this leads to smooth muscle
contraction, mucus production, and airway
remodeling.

33.  Introduction
 Activation of mast cells
 Mast cell mediators
 Mast cell in health
>Wound healing
>Angiogenesis
 Mast cell in disease
>Immediate hypersensitivity reaction
>Infection
>Inflammation
• Mast cell disorders
• Summary

34. Mast Cells vs. Parasites
 Mast cells offer a first line of defense against parasitic
pathogens.
 They are preferentially located in organs targeted
by parasites, where they release proteases, recruit neutrophils,
and regulate vessel permeability.
 Mast cells release antimicrobial peptides.

35. mastcell in infection
 Helminth infection
 MCs are activated by
helminth & MC hyperplasia
is observed in helminth
infection

36. Mast Cells vs. Bacteria
 Mast cells express most TLRs on their membrane
surfaces.
 TLR binding triggers distinctive patterns of mast cell
activation including the release of antimicrobial peptides
and the production of complement-mediated membrane
attack complexes.

37. mastcell in infection
 Bacterial infection
 MC-derived TNF, together with LTC4 & LTB4 contributed to recruitment
neutrophils to clearance Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa

38. Mast Cells vs. Yeast
and Fungal Forms
 Parasite antigen stimulation of TLRs) and C-type
lectin
receptors (CLRs) initiates a wide range of mast cell
IgE
receptors resulting in the release of pro-
inflammatory
cytokines, chemokines, and other pre-stored
mediators of
inflammation.
 The release of pre-formed mediators of
inflammation is

39. mastcell in infection
 Fungal infection
 Human MCs respond to zymosan, but not peptidoglycan,
 Trichoderma viridae, indoor fungus, induce MC degranulation
(high dose) but low dose enhance histamine secretion from MCs
 Aspergillus fumigatus induce IgE-independent MC degranulation

40. Mast Cells vs. Viruses
 Upper respiratory viral infections worsen allergic
asthma,
suggesting increased activation of mast cells during
infection.
 Mast cells recognize the presence of double-stranded
viral RNA and respond by releasing: IL-29, interferon-
alpha, interferon-beta, and tumor necrosis factor
alpha.
 Virally infected mast cells respond by releasing the
anti-viral
proteins.

41. mastcell in infection
41
 Viral infection
 This aspect is emerging field
 Report from HIV-infected patients
 Increased serum IgE predict worse prognosis
Israël-Biet D et al.JACI 1992 Jan;89:68-75

42. mastcell in infection
 Viral infection
 Dengue virus can activate MCs to release IL-1, IL-6,
RANTES, MIP-1 and MIP-1
 Respiratory syncytial virus (major cause of LRT in infant &
associated with development of asthma later in life
 Airway MC numbers increase in parainfluenza infection

43. Mast Cells vs. Toxins
 Mast cells are known to initiate an immediate IgE-
dependent
hypersensitivity response to venoms.
 Mast cells can also be activated by various
endotoxins and
exotoxins.
 It is not known whether mold or bacterial toxins
activate mast cell responses, but mast cells
release VEGF and MMP-9,
markers affected in biotoxin-mediated

44.  Introduction
 Activation of mast cells
 Mast cell mediators
 Mast cell in health
>Wound healing
>Angiogenesis
 Mast cell in disease
>Immediate hypersensitivity reaction
>Infection
>Inflammation
• Mast cell disorders
• Summary

45. Mast cell- skin inflammation
 Skin mast cells are located close to sensory nerve
endings and triggered by neuropeptides released by
dermal neurons
 Acute stress releases CRH in the skin inducing local
response , increases vascular permeability
 Acute stress induces redistribution of leukocytes from
the sytemic circulation into the skin and excerbates
skin delayed hypersensitivity reactions

46. Mast cell – inflammatory arthritis
 Fluid aspirated from joints of patients with
arthrosynovitis contains RANTES and MCP-
1(chemoattractants)
 Mast cells in the joints of RA patients express CRH
receptors
 CRH and CRH receptors are increased in the joints of
inflammatory and RA patients symptoms of which
worsen by stress

47. Mast cell – Coronary inflammation
 Cardiac mast cells participate in the development of
artherosclerosis , coronary inflammation, and cardiac
ishemia
 Mast cells are prominent in coronary arteries during
spasm
 The human mast cell proteolytic enzyme chymase is
the main cardiac source of coronary constrictor
angiotensin II
 Cardiac mast cell derived histamine constrict the
coronary arteries

48. Mast Cells and
Coronary Artery Disease
 People with mastocytosis or myalgic encephaplitis/chronic
fatigue syndrome are particularly prone to coronary
hypersensitivity reactions.
• Stress precipitates and worsens activation of mast cells via
activation of surface receptors by corticotropin releasing
hormone (CRH) and other hypothalamic neuropeptide
regulators.

50. Mast cells and
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
 Mast cell activation plays a role in post-infectious IBS.
• Mast cell degranulation associates with cytokine
alterations and intestinal hyperpermeability in patients
with IBS.
• Mast cell hyperplasia is seen in inflammatory bowel
disorders.

51. Mast Cells and the
Blood-Brain Barrier
 Acute stress triggers CRH production which activates
histamine release by mast cells, which leads to increased
blood-brain barrier permeability.
 This implicates mast cells in neuroinflammatory disorders
including multiple sclerosis.

52. 57 TC Moon et al.Mucosal Immunology 2010; 3(2):111-
128
mast cell homeostasis

53. Rolein cancer
 In connective tissue of certain tumours mast cells occur in
great quantities
 Cutaneous carcinomas especially basal cell cancers
 Enormous accumulation of mast cells is in cutaneous
papilloma these are precancerous lesions
 The moment tumour grow malignant the mast cells
disappear and escape detection
 Mast cells and their products play a part in the local tissue
resistance against development and growth of the tumour

54. Mast cells in vaccines
 Enhancing adaptive immune response
 Adjuvant activity
 Mast cell activator – humoral immunity
 IgA production, mucosal immunity

55.  Introduction
 Activation of mast cells
 Mast cell mediators
 Mast cell in health
>Wound healing
>Angiogenesis
 Mast cell in disease
>Immediate hypersensitivity reaction
>Infection
>Inflammation
• Mast cell disorders
• Summary

56. MASTOCYTOSIS
 A rare group of disorders
 Pathological increase in mast cells in tissues
 Mastocytosis can form part of other haematological
disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes,
myeloproliferative disorders or AML.
 Cutaneous mastocytosis: involve just the skin
 Systemic mastocytosis: involve multiple tissues and
are associated with systemic symptoms

57. MASTOCYTOSIS
 A c-kit point mutation leads to a single amino acid
substitution (Asp816Val) .
 This mutation leads to ligand-independent
phosphorylation of c-Kit and a consequent clonal
expansion of mast cells.

60. MASTOCYTOSIS
Cutaneous manifestations
 Urticaria pigmentosa is the usual presenting feature in
children and adults.
 Yellowish-brown lesions,usually macular and
sometimes papular, appear in a patchy distribution.
 Pruritus is common, as is flushing, and some cases
develop haemorrhagic bullous disease.
 Whealing of lesions upon rubbing is known as
Darier’s sign.

61. MASTOCYTOSIS
 Systemic disease
 Systemic manifestations are very heterogeneous and are
secondary to mast cell mediator release.
 Episodes of flushing, angioedema, or even anaphylaxis
with or without any specific trigger, can arise as a result of
systemic histamine release.
 Gastrointestinal symptoms include abdominal
pain,diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Gastritis and peptic
ulceration may occur secondary to hyperhistaminaemia
and severe cases may develop malabsorption.

62. MASTOCYTOSIS
 Osteoporosis leading to pathological fractures.
 Peripheral blood cytopenias.
 Hepatosplenomegaly.
 Fever, fatigue and weight loss
 Symptoms of organ failure due to organ infiltration are
characteristic of aggressive systemic mastocytosis.

63. Investigations
 Diagnosis usually requires histological and
biochemical confirmation
 Routine investigations should include a full blood
count, liver function tests and a random serum
tryptase.
 Plasma levels of soluble CD25 and CD117 (kit)
have shown promise as novel markers of mast cell
disease.

64. Investigations
 Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy
 Mast cell aggregates can be visualized on
conventional haematoxylin and eosin-stained
sections but stand out clearly with stains such
as toluidine blue .
 Immunochemistry using antitryptase
antibodies highly specific for mast cells.
 Flow cytometry to look for expression of CD2
and CD25 in bone marrow mast cells may be
useful as this phenotype is not seen in
normal mast cells.

65. Investigations
 Abdominal ultrasound or computerized
tomography (CT) scanning should be
performed to look for hepatosplenomegaly
and lymphadenopathy.
 Plain radiography and bone densitometry can
be used to assess bone involvement and the
presence of osteoporosis.
 Endoscopy and biopsy can be useful if gut
involvementis suspected

66. Treatment
 No curative treatment exists for mastocytosis,
 The management of which remain symptomatic

67. Prognosis
 Age and disease category are the most important
determinants of outcome.
 The most benign syndrome is paediatric
mastocytoma,which disappears with time in over
50% of cases. Paediatric urticaria pigmentosa
also has a good prognosis and resolves in about
one-half of the cases.
 Indolent systemic mastocytosis carries a
favourable prognosis and usually persists as a
chronic low-grade disorder

68. other Mast Cells Disorders
 The Most Common Forms of Mast Cell Activation
Syndrome
===Idiopathic (non-clonal) mast cell activation syndrome
(also known as nc-MCAS):
- occurs more often in women
 MC triggers are usually unknown.
 Idiopathic anaphylaxis and mastocytosis should be ruled
out.

69. other Mast Cells Disorders
 Monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome (MMAS): ----
systemic reactions to hymenoptera stings or
-- unexplained anaphylaxis with high baseline tryptase.
 Bone marrow biopsy shows monoclonal MCs but not
mastocytosis.
 Thought to be rare.

70. Histamine-Overdrive Mast Cell Disorders
 Histaminosis: commonly induced by exposure to
histamine from foods; rarely, an acute syndrome caused
by scromboid poisoning (due to seafood high in
histamine).
• Histamine intolerance: sensitivity to histamine from foods
and/or from reduced histamine breakdown.

71. Histamine Intolerance
 Reduced central or peripheral breakdown of histamine
can lead to:
 Rashes
 Headaches
 Fatigue
 Hives or flushing
 Allergies
 Dysmenorrhea
 Estrogen dominance
 GI disturbances
 Dysrhythmias
 Arthritis
 Central, peripheral and/or autonomic neurologic

72. Diet and Nutrition in the
Treatment of Mast Cell Disorders
Some high histamine foods
Pickles , beer, mayonnaise, nuts, wine ,chocolate,
champagne ,vinegar ,cocoa, shellfish ,dried fruits
processed meats, tofu, cheese, yeast, canned vegetables,
mushrooms food additives, egg whites, aged cheeses
, tomatoes ,spices ,spinach

73. Diet and Nutrition in the
Treatment of Mast Cell Disorders
 Apples: rich in quercitin
 Carrots: rich in vitamin A
 Watercress: inhibits histamine release
 Broccoli: H2 receptor antagonist
 Ginger: H2 receptor antagonist
 Thyme: anaphylaxis inhibitor
 Fennel: antioxidants, antihistamine, anti-
inflammatory
 Turmeric: stabilizes mast cells, inhibits histamine
release me foods with anti-histamine effects

74.  Introduction
 Activation of mast cells
 Mast cell mediators
 Mast cell in health
>Wound healing
>Angiogenesis
 Mast cell in disease
>Immediate hypersensitivity reaction
>Infection
>Inflammation
• Mast cell disorders
• Summary

75. Mast Cells: The Good,
the Bad, and the Ugly
The Good
 An essential player in the body’s innate immune response.
 They patrol the front lines: skin, connective tissues and
mucus membranes.
 They release chemical alarms to summon defenses against
pathogens, allergens, toxins, and other noxious incitants.

76. Mast Cells: The Good,
the Bad, and the Ugly
The Bad
 Over-activation of mast cells can lead to:
• Allergic disease/Asthma/Anaphylaxis
• Eczema/atopic dermatitis
• Migraines/neurological disorders
• Autoimmune disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Unexplained multi-symptom illnesses
 Histamine is only one of many inflammatory elements
released by mast cells. Excess release of mast cell-derived
chemicals results in mast cell-related inflammation.

77. Mast Cells: The Good,
the Bad, and the Ugly
The Ugly
 Abnormal mast cell proliferation results in mastocytosis,
which can lead to mast cell tumors and severe forms of
cutaneous or systemic disease.
 Systemic mastocytosis commonly results in an
unexplained multi-system, multi-symptom illness
with damage to multiple organ systems that can go
unrecognized in multiple medical settings.

78. Take Home Message
 Mast cells are functionally diverse cells that have a constitutive
presence at mucosal surfaces and elaborate impressive array of
mediators, making them an attractive therapeutic target.
 Mast cell proteases,their well-documented ability to alter
intestinal permeability, is a key factor in several GI
autoimmune/inflammatory pathologies

79. Take Home Message
 Mast cells have emerged as unique immune cells that
can be activated by many immune and nonimmune
triggers, including acute stress through CRH
 Inhibition of mast cell activation by CRH, therefore,
is a novel target for the development of new treatments
for inflammatory and autoimmune disease

80. References
 Robbins and Cotran pathologic basis of disease ,
Eighth Edition p.198-202
 A. Victor Hoffbrand ,Daniel Catovsky MD, Edward
G.D. Tuddenham MD, Postgraduate Haematology,
Fifth edition 2005;p-775-778
 Beaven M. Our perception of the mast cell from Paul
Ehrlich to now. European Journal of Immunology.
2009 Jan;39(1):11-25.
 Moon TC, et al. Advances in mast cell biology: new
understanding of heterogeneity and function.Mucosal
Immunology. 2010;3:111-128.

81. References
 Metz M, Maurer M. Mast cells: key effectors in
immune response. Trends in Immunology.
2007;28:234-241.
 Theoharis C. Theoharides,and Dimitrios
Kalogeromitros The Critical Role of Mast Cells in
Allergy and InflammationAnn. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1088:
78–99 (2006). C 2006 New York Academy of
Sciences.doi: 10.1196/annals.1366.025
 Gustav Asboe-hansen Mast cells in health and disease
 New Understanding Of Mast Cell surasarit Khawlaor