Table of Contents

ContributorsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsSection One Development of Mast Cells and Basophils Chapter 1 Regulation of Mast Cell and Basophil Development by Stem Cell Factor and Interleukin-3 Introduction SCF, a Ligand for the c-kit Receptor Multiple Effects of SCF in Mast Cell Biology SCF can Regulate Mast Cell Function In Vitro and In Vivo Interleukin-3 Using IL-3-/- Mice to Assess the Role of IL-3 in Mast Cell and Basophil Development Summary Acknowledgments References Chapter 2 Gain-of-function Mutations of c-kit in Human Diseases Introduction Loss-of-function Mutation of c-kit Stomach Lesions of W/Wv and SI/SId Mice Gain-of-function Mutation of c-kit in Mast Cell Neoplasms Sporadic Gastrointestinal Stromal Turnouts Familial GIST Conclusion References Chapter 3 Modulation of Mast Cell Development from Embryonic Haematopoietic Progenitors by Eotaxin Chemokines and Their Receptors Play Diverse Roles as Mediators of Inflammation Chemokines Participate in Multiple Mast Cell and Basophil Functions Chemokine Secretion by Mast Cells Eotaxin Results Discussion References Chapter 4 Regulation and Dysregulation of Mast Cell Survival and Apoptosis Introduction Regulation of Mast Cell Survival and Apoptosis by Growth Factors Regulation of Mast Cell Survival and Apoptosis by Death Receptors Regulation of Mast Cell Survival and Apoptosis by Perforin, Nitric Oxide and Bacterial Toxins Regulation of Mast Cell Survival and Apoptosis by Irradiation and Chemical Agents Perspective: Apoptosis and Mast Cell Disease ReferencesSection Two Phenotypic and Ultrastructural Features of Mast Cells and Basophils Chapter 5 Ultrastructural Features of Human Basophil and Mast Cell Secretory Function Introduction Mechanism(s) of Histamine and CLC-P Secretion from Human Basophils, of Histamine Secretion from Human Mast Cells In Vitro and of TNF-α and Chymase Secretion from Rat Peritoneal Cells Histamine Secretion from Human Mast Cells In Vivo Heparin Secretion from Human Mast Cells In Vitro The Vesiculovacuolar Organelle, a New Endothelial Permeability Structure Acknowledgments References Chapter 6 Human Dendritic Mast Cells Introduction The Morphology of Human Dendritic Mast Cells Functional Aspects and Future Lines of Research Concluding Remarks References Chapter 7 The Phenotypic Similarities and Differences between Human Basophils and Mast Cells Introduction Morphology Membrane Receptors Cytoplasmic Contents Mast Cell Phenotypes in Tissues The Involvement of Mast Cells and Basophils in Asthma and Drug Reactions Acknowledgments References Chapter 8 Interactions between Nerves and Mast Cells in Amphibians Introduction Morphology of Frog Mast Cells Frog Mast Cells and Peripheral Nervous System Occurrence of Mast Cells in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems of Mammals Concluding Remarks ReferencesSection Three Signal Transduction in Mast Cells and Basophils Chapter 9 Sequential Protein Kinase Activation and the Regulation of Mast Cell Cytokine Production Introduction Signaling Through Mast Cell Surface Receptors MAPK Family Members Transcriptional Regulation of TNF-α Production Stem Cell Factor Receptor (c-kit) Differentiation Signaling and Function of Mast Cells Derived from Bone Marrow and Embryonic Stem Cells Identification of a Critical Role for MEKK2 in JNK Activation and Cytokine Production Summary Acknowledgments Reference