Mast Cell Development

Mast cells are tissue resident inflammatory cells that serve critical functions in the acute and chronic inflammatory responses. They are found in tissues throughout the body usually localized around blood vessels.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells

• Mast cells are derived from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells are pluripotent cells, meaning they are capable of becoming many different cell types.

Cytokine Stimulation of Production

• Mast cell production from hematopoietic stem cells is directed largely by prevailing cytokine levels. Interlukin-3 appears to be a major stimulatory factor for mast cell production. In contrast, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor can inhibit mast cell production.

Stem Cell Factor

• Stem cell factor is a growth factor and receptor produced primarily by bone marrow stromal cells. Soluble stem cell factor is critical in mast cell proliferation and differentiation. Additionally, membrane bound stem cell factor may play a key role in mast cell homing.

Granule Production

• In addition to the regulation of production of mast cells, the specific composition of intracellular granules is regulated by cytokines leading to distinct phenotypes.

Dysregulation of Mast Cell Production

• Mastocytosis is a condition caused by the presence of too many mast cells. A potential cause is excess production leading to accumulation in various organ and lymphoid tissues of the body.