Title:Mast Cells as a Double Edged Sword in Immunity: Disorders of Mast Cell Activation and Therapeutic Management. Second of Two Parts
Volume: 20
Issue: 5
Author(s): Thea Magrone*, Manrico Magrone and Emilio Jirillo
Affiliation:
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari,Italy
Keywords:
Allergy, asthma, auto-immunity, cancer, inflammation, polyphenols.
Abstract:
Mast cells (MCs) bear many receptors that allow them to respond to a variety of exogenous
and endogenous stimuli. However, MC function is dual since they can initiate pathological events or
protect the host against infectious challenges.
The role of MCs in disease will be analyzed in a broad sense, describing cellular and molecular
mechanisms related to their involvement in auto-inflammatory diseases, asthma, autoimmune diseases
and cancer. On the other hand, their protective role in the course of bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections
will also be illustrated.
As far as treatment of MC-derived diseases is concerned, allergen immunotherapy as well as other
attempts to reduce MC-activation will be outlined according to the recent data. Finally, in agreement
with current literature and our own data polyphenols have been demonstrated to attenuate type I allergic
reactions and contact dermatitis in response to nickel. The use of polyphenols in these diseases will
be discussed also in view of MC involvement.