ABSTRACT
Disease Hanneke P.M.van der Kleij1, Michael G.Blennerhassett: and John Bienenstock3
lDepartment of Pharmacology and Pathophysiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands 2Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Queen s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada 3Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Mast cells often lie in close apposition to nerves in most tissues of the body. Bi-directional communication pathways involving many mast cell mediators including histamine, serotonin, cytokines and products of arachidonic acid metabolism, variously stimulate and regulate neuronal function. Similarly, neuropeptides and nerve growth factors stimulate secretory and other activity in mast cells. In this way, mast cells can act both as sentinel sensory afferent receptor cells for antigens, toxins, etc. and bring about local and central homeostatic responses. Emotional and behavioural activities in the central nervous system can bring about mast cell responses both centrally and peripherally. In this manner, mast cell-nerve interactions can be thought of as a clear and potent example of neuroimmune communication. They may be involved in physiologic, or pathologic processes in inflammation and disease, as well as in responses as varied as Pavlovian conditioning and reactions to stress.
