open access

Vol 2, No 1 (2016)
Review paper
Published online: 2016-05-09
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Mast cells and their role in pathogenesis of selected skin diseases

Agata Zawadzka, Magdalena Lange, Bogusław Nedoszytko, Monika Sikorska, Michał Żmijewski, Agata Zauszkiewicz-Pawlak, Roman Nowicki
Forum Dermatologicum 2016;2(1):12-19.

open access

Vol 2, No 1 (2016)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Published online: 2016-05-09

Abstract

Mast cells derived from bone marrow hematopoetic stem cells, have the ability to release multiple biologically active substances (such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, neuropeptides, and proteolytic enzymes). On the surface of mast cells, there are numerous receptors that determine the function of these cells and enable them to interact with the cells of the immune system and the neuroendocrine system of the skin. In mastocytosis, there is a clonal proliferation of mast cells which accumulate in various tissues, particularly in the skin and the bone marrow. In severe forms of systemic disease infiltration of organs leads to an impairment of their function. Both patients with cutaneous and systemic mastocytosis suffer from mast cell mediator-related symptoms. In atopic dermatitis MCs are involved in type I hypersensitivity reactions, promote the differentiation of cells towards Th2 or Th1, secrete mediators involved in the pathogenesis of pruritus, stimulate chemotaxis of lymphocytes and dendritic cells into the skin and contribute to the development of chronic inflammation of the skin. In psoriasis an increased number of MCs was found in skin lesions. Moreover, these cells secrete numerous proinflammatory cytokines, stimulate migration of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes into the skin and secrete mediators which induce itching.

Abstract

Mast cells derived from bone marrow hematopoetic stem cells, have the ability to release multiple biologically active substances (such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, neuropeptides, and proteolytic enzymes). On the surface of mast cells, there are numerous receptors that determine the function of these cells and enable them to interact with the cells of the immune system and the neuroendocrine system of the skin. In mastocytosis, there is a clonal proliferation of mast cells which accumulate in various tissues, particularly in the skin and the bone marrow. In severe forms of systemic disease infiltration of organs leads to an impairment of their function. Both patients with cutaneous and systemic mastocytosis suffer from mast cell mediator-related symptoms. In atopic dermatitis MCs are involved in type I hypersensitivity reactions, promote the differentiation of cells towards Th2 or Th1, secrete mediators involved in the pathogenesis of pruritus, stimulate chemotaxis of lymphocytes and dendritic cells into the skin and contribute to the development of chronic inflammation of the skin. In psoriasis an increased number of MCs was found in skin lesions. Moreover, these cells secrete numerous proinflammatory cytokines, stimulate migration of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes into the skin and secrete mediators which induce itching.

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Keywords

mast cells, mastocytosis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis

About this article
Title

Mast cells and their role in pathogenesis of selected skin diseases

Journal

Forum Dermatologicum

Issue

Vol 2, No 1 (2016)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

12-19

Published online

2016-05-09

Page views

920

Article views/downloads

5308

Bibliographic record

Forum Dermatologicum 2016;2(1):12-19.

Keywords

mast cells
mastocytosis
atopic dermatitis
psoriasis

Authors

Agata Zawadzka
Magdalena Lange
Bogusław Nedoszytko
Monika Sikorska
Michał Żmijewski
Agata Zauszkiewicz-Pawlak
Roman Nowicki

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