J Rhinol.  1998 Nov;5(2):85-91.

Mast Cells and Allergic Rhinitis

• Cho JS

Abstract

That mast cells play a role in acute allergic inflammation by releasing various inflammatory mediators, including histamine, leukotrienes (LT), such as LTC4 and LTD4, and prostaglandins (PG), such as PGD2, is well known. Additionally, mast cells contribute to the development of allergic inflammation also through the release of multifunctional cytokines. The incidence of intraepithelial mast cells (IEMC) is found to be greater in nasal mucosa exposed to an allergen, and the cells are thought to play an important role in producing the immediate allergic reaction. Lamina propira mast cells (LPMC) are known to be the dominant source of TH2 cytokine and are responsible for development of the late phases of an allergic reaction They may upregulate the expression of adhesion molecules on the endothelial cells and induce basophil and eosinophil recruitment. Based on these consideration it can be proposed that mast cell is a initiating cell of allergic reaction in target organ and IEMC and LPMC have capacity to make major contribution to both immediate or late phase reaction of allergic rhinitis.

Keyword

Allergic rhinitis; Mast cells; Chemical mediators; Cytokines; Adhesion molecules

MeSH Terms

Basophils
Cytokines
Endothelial Cells
Eosinophils
Histamine
Hypersensitivity
Incidence
Inflammation
Leukotriene C4
Leukotriene D4
Leukotrienes
Mast Cells*
Nasal Mucosa
Prostaglandin D2
Prostaglandins
Rhinitis*
Cytokines
Histamine
Leukotriene C4
Leukotriene D4
Leukotrienes
Prostaglandin D2
Prostaglandins