Mast cell: Encyclopedia II - Mast cell - Role in disease

Mast cell - Role in disease

Mast cell - Allergic disease

Many forms of cutaneous and mucosal allergy are mediated for a large part by mast cells; they play a central role in asthma, eczema, itch (from various causes) and allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. Antihistamine drugs act by blocking the action of histamine on nerve endings. Cromoglycate-based drugs (sodium cromoglycate, nedocromil) block a calcium channel essential for mast cell degranulation, stabilizing the cell and preventing release of histamine and related mediators. Leukotriene antagonists (such as montelukast and zafirlukast) block the action of leukotriene mediators, and are being used increasingly in allergic diseases.

Mast cell - Anaphylaxis

In anaphylaxis (a severe systemic reaction to allergens, such as nuts, bee stings or drugs), body-wide degranulation of mast cells leads to vasodilation and, if severe, symptoms of life-threatening shock.

Mast cell - Mast cell disorders

Mastocytosis is a rare condition featuring proliferation of mast cells. It exists in a cutaneous and systemic form, with the former being limited to the skin and the latter involving multiple organs. A mastocytoma is a mast cell tumor, often seen in dogs and cats.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Role in disease", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki