Development of mast cells: analysis with mutant mice.

Mast cells are the progeny of hematopoietic stem cells. Mutant mice lacking mast cells or possessing abnormal mast cells, such as W/Wv, Sl/Sld, and mi/mi, are useful for investigating the developmental process. Recently, mast cell progenitors were identified with sorting techniques. Recent progress in research into mast cell development is reviewed.