Mast cells are tissue-localized cells that play an important role in
immunity and inflammation. Following an offensive event they act as
cellular sensors that via the activation of cell surface receptors
launch a cellular response culminating in the release of a whole set
of inflammatory mediators and products. This response is initially
destined to restore tissue homeostasis, but in case of chronic injury
or deregulation also promotes pathology. To further understand the
action of mast cells in their environmental context it is necessary to
decipher the molecular mechanisms of their activation as well as the
ensuing cellular responses. This will allow identification of new
strategies to promote their beneficial actions or, at the contrary, to
interfere with their pathological consequences. While in the past many
studies have focused on responses engaged by high affinity IgE
receptor because of its implication in the allergic response, it has
become clear that mast cells can be activated by multiple types of
receptors initiating an intense molecular crosstalk between receptors
and signaling pathways that can either synergize, antagonize and in
some cases produce new types of responses. Mast cells can indeed react
with an astounding diverse array of cellular responses that sometimes
are engaged selectively. This "Research Topic" will focus on selected
articles that shed some new light on the molecular mechanisms of mast
cell activation, the possible crosstalk between signaling pathways and
the ensuing cellular responses that allow mast cells to act as
cellular sensors in tissues.
Mast cells are tissue-localized cells that play an important role in
immunity and inflammation. Following an offensive event they act as
cellular sensors that via the activation of cell surface receptors
launch a cellular response culminating in the release of a whole set
of inflammatory mediators and products. This response is initially
destined to restore tissue homeostasis, but in case of chronic injury
or deregulation also promotes pathology. To further understand the
action of mast cells in their environmental context it is necessary to
decipher the molecular mechanisms of their activation as well as the
ensuing cellular responses. This will allow identification of new
strategies to promote their beneficial actions or, at the contrary, to
interfere with their pathological consequences. While in the past many
studies have focused on responses engaged by high affinity IgE
receptor because of its implication in the allergic response, it has
become clear that mast cells can be activated by multiple types of
receptors initiating an intense molecular crosstalk between receptors
and signaling pathways that can either synergize, antagonize and in
some cases produce new types of responses. Mast cells can indeed react
with an astounding diverse array of cellular responses that sometimes
are engaged selectively. This "Research Topic" will focus on selected
articles that shed some new light on the molecular mechanisms of mast
cell activation, the possible crosstalk between signaling pathways and
the ensuing cellular responses that allow mast cells to act as
cellular sensors in tissues.
