Title: Interleukin 4 (IL-4) influences rat mast cell releasability
Abstract: Mast cells are widely distributed throughout the body in both connective tissue and at mucosal surface. They produce and release a spectrum of powerful mediators, including preformed mediators (e.g. amines, chemotactic peptides, proteoglycans, enzymes), newly synthesised mediators (e.g. arachidonic acid metabolites, nitric oxide) and cytokines [1, 2]. It is beyond doubt that mast cells play a pivotal role in immediate hypersensitivity reactions by virtue of the presence of high affinity receptors for IgE in their surface [1, 2]. Nowadays there is growing evidence that these cells are involved in other pathophysiological processes, such as chronic inflammation, tissue remodelling, wound repair, angiogenesis and fibrosis [3, 4]. Moreover, mast cells play an important role in homeostasis, normal host defence during innate immune response to bacterial infection and reactions to neoplasia [3, 5, 6]. Taking into account the significance of mast cells in the course of many physiological and pathological processes, it seems to be very important to recognise the factors that influence the biology and activity of these cells in tissues. For over two decades it has been determined that cytokines play a crucial role in the regulation of various biological processes acting as chemical communicators between cells. Moreover, it is well established that cytokines affect the function of various cell populations [7]. It is now clear that most, if not all aspects of mast cells development, including growth, proliferation, and the differentiation/maturation, are regulated by cytokines [2]. There is also growing evidence that cytokines modulate the biology of mature tissue mast cells. It was documented that some cytokines influence the expression of mast cell surface receptors and molecules [810]. It was also established that many cytokines affect mast cell migration and adhesion acting not only as mast cells chemoattractants but also regulating the expression of adhesion molecules [11-14]. What is more, certain cytokines may control mast cell survival and apoptosis [15-18]. At present, several lines of evidence indicate that cytokines can also significantly influence the secretory activity of mast cells having either direct stimulating or regulatory effect. It has been shown that stem cell factor (SCF), nerve growth factor (NGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), macrophage Interleukin 4 (IL-4) influences rat mast cell releasability
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-09-17
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 2
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot