Mast Cells
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Immunology
- Innate Immunity
- Adaptive Immunity
- Macrophages
- Neutrophils
- Dendritic Cells
- Mast Cells
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
- Natural Killer Cells
- Antigens
- MHC I and II
- Antibodies
- B Lymphocytes Overview
- B Cell Stages
- B-Cell Activation
- Plasma B-Cells
- Memory B-Cells
- T-Lymphocytes Overview
- T-Cell Stages
- Types of Activated T-Cells
Summary
Mast cells are a type of white blood cell found in the innate immune system. They function mainly as granulocytes, which means that they contain many little packets of chemicals called granules inside the cell. These granules importantly contain histamine, which is released in large amounts in the setting of an infection. While histamine release from granules is generally good for fighting infections, mast cells can mess up and sometimes recognize harmless things like pollen as foreign pathogens. When this happens, the release of histamine from mast cells is responsible for causing the symptoms of allergies.
Key Points
- Mast Cells
- Innate immune cell
- Granulocyte
- Mast cells can release the contents of their granules, which contain inflammatory chemicals like histamine
- Histamine from mast cells plays a role in causing allergic reactions
- Mast cells can release the contents of their granules, which contain inflammatory chemicals like histamine
- Phagocyte
- Mast cells are able to engulf foreign pathogens, especially parasites. Mast cells can also present antigens to T-cells. However, these are less common functions of mast cells.