Emerging Role of Mast Cells and Macrophages in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

• Published in: Endocrine reviews Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 71 - 108
• Main Authors: Xu, Jia-Ming, Shi, Guo-Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Endocrine Society 01.02.2012; Copyright by The Endocrine Society
• Subjects: Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - immunology; Atherosclerosis - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular Diseases - immunology; Diabetes Mellitus - immunology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Macrophages - physiology; Mast Cells - physiology; Metabolic Diseases - immunology; Obesity - immunology; Reviews; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Metabolic diseases; Cardiovascular disease; Mast cell; Review; Macrophage
• ISSN: 0163-769X; 1945-7189
• DOI: 10.1210/er.2011-0013

Mast cells are essential in allergic immune responses. Recent discoveries have revealed their direct participation in cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. Although more sophisticated mechanisms are still unknown, data from animal studies suggest that mast cells act similarly to macrophages and other inflammatory cells and contribute to human diseases through cell–cell interactions and the release of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and proteases to induce inflammatory cell recruitment, cell apoptosis, angiogenesis, and matrix protein remodeling. Reduced cardiovascular complications and improved metabolic symptoms in animals receiving over-the-counter antiallergy medications that stabilize mast cells open another era of mast cell biology and bring new hope to human patients suffering from these conditions.