Role of Mast Cells In Acute Inflammation

Question 1

Where do mast cells reside?

Answer 1

In the tissues

Question 2

What is the role of mast cells?

Answer 2

They rapidly recognise potentially injurious stimuli and initiate the host cell defense - crucial in causing the onset of acute inflammation

Question 3

What do mast cells respond to?

Answer 3

Physical trauma
Breakdown products of complement
Microbial products
Neuropeptides

Question 4

What do mast cells release which triggers inflammation?

Answer 4

• Histamine
• Leukotriens
• enzymes
• cytokines (TNF, IL1, chemokines)

Question 5

Why can mast cells trigger inflammation so rapidly

Answer 5

They have ready-to-go substances in granules which can be released instantly, and don’t need to transcribe genes (they do this as well)

Question 6

It is possible to use transgenic technology to remove mast cells when cre is expressed. What happens when there are no mast cells?

Answer 6

Acute inflammation collapses

Question 7

Do mast cells also play a role in chronic inflammation

Answer 7

Yes!