Befus D, Fujimaki H, Lee T D, Swieter M
Department of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Dig Dis Sci. 1988 Mar;33(3 Suppl):16S-24S. doi: 10.1007/BF01538127.
Although mast cells are widely distributed in the body, their functions are poorly known. The elucidation of mast cell function is complicated by growing evidence that mast cells are heterogeneous. Recent studies of mast cell ontogeny suggest that microenvironmental stimuli control the phenotypic expression of parts of the genome leading to subtype differences in a common lineage. Mast cells influence cell proliferation, differentiation, and activation in a range of target cells, although until recently they were considered important only in immediate hypersensitivity. However, they function in delayed-type hypersensitivity, potentiate cytotoxicity of eosinophils and macrophages, and are cytotoxic for certain targets themselves. Mast cell mediators influence blood flow and vascular permeability and facilitate angiogenesis. Numerous mast cell mediators are immunoregulatory. In vitro experiments have begun to investigate the role of mast cells in fibrotic diseases. Further knowledge of mast cell heterogeneity will provide the basis for new therapies in inflammatory diseases of the intestine and other organs.
尽管肥大细胞广泛分布于体内，但其功能却鲜为人知。越来越多的证据表明肥大细胞具有异质性，这使得肥大细胞功能的阐明变得复杂。最近关于肥大细胞个体发生的研究表明，微环境刺激控制基因组部分区域的表型表达，导致同一谱系中的亚型差异。肥大细胞影响一系列靶细胞的增殖、分化和激活，尽管直到最近它们还仅被认为在速发型超敏反应中起重要作用。然而，它们在迟发型超敏反应中发挥作用，增强嗜酸性粒细胞和巨噬细胞的细胞毒性，并且自身对某些靶标具有细胞毒性。肥大细胞介质影响血流和血管通透性，并促进血管生成。许多肥大细胞介质具有免疫调节作用。体外实验已开始研究肥大细胞在纤维化疾病中的作用。对肥大细胞异质性的进一步了解将为肠道和其他器官炎症性疾病的新疗法提供基础。
