Mast Cells is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Mast cells are tissue-resident immune cells that play crucial roles in allergy, inflammation, and innate immunity. In the central nervous system, mast cells reside in the meninges, choroid plexus, and perivascular spaces, where they contribute to neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier regulation, and have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis. [1]
| Property | Value | [2]
|----------|-------| [3]
| Category | Cell Types | [4]
| Brain Region | Meninges, Choroid Plexus, Perivascular Space | [5]
| Cell Type | Tissue-Resident Innate Immune Cells | [6]
| Neurotransmitter | Histamine, Serotonin, Heparin | [7]
| Key Markers | Tryptase, Chymase, FcεRI, c-Kit |
| Vulnerability | Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Migraine |
| Taxonomy | ID | Name / Label |
|---|---|---|
| Cell Ontology (CL) | CL:0000097 | mast cell |
| Database | ID | Name | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Ontology | CL:0000097 | mast cell | Exact |
Mast cells have distinctive features:
| Gene/Protein | Expression | Function |
|---|---|---|
| KIT | High | c-Kit receptor for SCF, mast cell survival |
| TPSAB1 | High | Tryptase alpha, protease activity |
| TPSB2 | High | Tryptase beta, inflammatory mediator |
| CPA3 | High | Carboxypeptidase A3, histaminase activity |
| HDC | High | Histidine decarboxylase, histamine synthesis |
| FCER1A | High | IgE receptor, activation signaling |
| GATA2 | High | Transcription factor, mast cell differentiation |
| MRGPRX2 | Medium | Mas-related GPCR, neuropeptide responses |
| Gene/Protein | Expression | Function |
|---|---|---|
| KIT | High | c-Kit receptor for SCF, mast cell survival |
| TPSAB1 | High | Tryptase alpha, protease activity |
| TPSB2 | High | Tryptase beta, inflammatory mediator |
| CPA3 | High | Carboxypeptidase A3, histaminase activity |
| HDC | High | Histidine decarboxylase, histamine synthesis |
| FCER1A | High | IgE receptor, activation signaling |
| GATA2 | High | Transcription factor, mast cell differentiation |
| MRGPRX2 | Medium | Mas-related GPCR, neuropeptide responses |
CNS mast cells serve important functions:
Mast cells are potent neuroinflammation mediators:
Mast cells contribute to oxidative stress:
Mast cells directly affect BBB integrity:
Mast cells play a role in Alzheimer's disease:
In Parkinson's disease:
Mast cells are implicated in multiple sclerosis:
Mast cells contribute to ALS:
The study of Mast Cells has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Nautiyal KM, et al. Mast cells in neuroinflammation. 2008. ↩︎
Kinet JP. Mast cell activation. 2020. ↩︎
Galli SJ, et al. Mast cells as therapeutic targets. 2021. ↩︎
Hendriksen E, et al. Mast cells in Alzheimer's disease. 2017. ↩︎
Tete J, et al. Mast cells in Parkinson disease. 2019. ↩︎
Matsumoto Y, et al. Mast cells in multiple sclerosis. 2021. ↩︎
St John J, et al. Mast cells and migraine. 2022. ↩︎