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Interactions of mast cells with the nervous system —Recent advances

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Abstract

This article reviews recent advances in the understanding of mast cell-nervous system interactions. It is drawn largely from work published within the last ten years, and discusses the anatomical and biochemical evidence of a functional connection between mast cells and the nervous system, and the implications that such a relationship may have for normal and abnormal physiological functioning. Mast cells are found at varying levels of association with the nervous system; in CNS parenchyma (mainly thalamus), in connective tissue coverings (e.g. meninges, endonerium), and in close apposition to peripheral nerve endings in a variety of tissues. There is, as yet, no clearly defined role for mast cells in nervous system function, or vice-versa, and it seems most likely that their interactions fulfil mutually modulatory roles. By extension, pathological situations where one of the partners in this relationship is overly stimulated may lead to a dysregulation of the other, and contribute to disease symptomatology.

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Abbreviations

ACh:

acetylcholine

BMMC:

bone marrow-derived mast cells

CGRP:

calcitonin gene-related peptide

EAE:

experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

EAN:

experimental allergic neuritis

5-HT:

serotonin

IgE:

immunoglobulin E

IL-3:

interleukin-3

MS:

multiple sclerosis

NA:

noradrenaline

NF:

neurofibromatosis

NGF:

nerve growth factor

VIP:

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide

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  1. Center for Neurologic Diseases, Divison of Neurology, Department of Medicine LMRC 118, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, 02115, Boston, MA

    David Johnson PhD & Werner Krenger

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Special issue dedicated to Dr. Alan N. Davison.

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Johnson, D., Krenger, W. Interactions of mast cells with the nervous system —Recent advances. Neurochem Res 17, 939–951 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00993271

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