PubMed2003
Mast cells, producing different cytokines, chemokines, proteases, vasoactive substances and other mediators, are multifunction cells which play an important role in physiological reactions, as well as in pathological situations. In the human heart mast cells have been identified at the site of sarcolemma, in perivascular tissue, tunica adventitia of vessels, and also in coronary atheroma. Heart mast cells have a number of immunological and functional features that make them distinct from other mast cells, the features are believed to be due to microenvironmental influences on phenotypic and cytochemical characteristics. Mast cells play complex and considerable role in development of different pathological processes in the heart. Surface receptors to lgE (Fc epsilon RI) and anaphylotoxine G5a determine their participation in development of systemic and cardiac anaphylactic reactions. Direct activation of heart mast cells by intravenously injected substances used in therapy and diagnostics can also result in development of anaphylactoid reactions. It was shown that quantity and density of mast cells is much higher in patients with atherosclerosis, myocarditis, ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy, than in humans without any cardiac pathology. Thus, the data allow to suggest that heart mast cells play an important role in regulation of a functional state of the myocardium both under normal and pathological conditions.