Abstract
Following the discovery of mast cells (or mastzellen) by the prolific physician researcher, Paul Ehrlich, many advances have improved our understanding of these cells and their fascinating biology. The discovery of immunoglobulin E and receptors for IgE and IgG on mast cells heralded further in vivo and in vitro studies, using molecular technologies and gene knockout models. Mast cells express an array of inflammatory mediators including tryptase, histamine, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. They play a role in many varying disease states, from atopic diseases, parasitic infections, hematological malignancies, and arthritis to osteoporosis. This review will attempt to summarize salient evolving areas in mast cell research over the last few centuries that have led to our current understanding of this pivotal multifunctional cell.
I would like to dedicate this chapter to my father, Dr. Narayanaswamy Krishnaswamy, M.B.B.S., an immunologist and clinician extraordinaire, who encouraged me to enter academic medicine and who continues to inspire me with his clinical acumen, his wide-armed compassion, and his practical yet gentle wisdom. By Guha Krishnaswamy, M.D.
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Ghably, J., Saleh, H., Vyas, H., Peiris, E., Misra, N., Krishnaswamy, G. (2015). Paul Ehrlich’s Mastzellen: A Historical Perspective of Relevant Developments in Mast Cell Biology. In: Hughes, M., McNagny, K. (eds) Mast Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1220. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1568-2_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1568-2_1
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