Mast cells play pivotal roles in innate and adaptive immunities but are also culprits in allergy, autoimmunity, and cardiovascular diseases. Mast cells respond to environmental changes by initiating regulated exocytosis/secretion of various biologically active compounds called mediators (e.g. proteases, amines, and cytokines). Many of these mediators are stored in granules/lysosomes and rely on intricate degranulation processes for release. Mast cell stabilizers (e.g. sodium cromoglicate), which prevent such degranulation processes, have therefore been clinically employed to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, it has become increasingly clear that different mast cell diseases often involve multiple mediators that rely on overlapping but distinct mechanisms for release. This review illustrates existing evidence that highlights the diverse exocytic pathways in mast cells. We also discuss strategies to delineate these pathways so as to identify unique molecular components which could serve as new drug targets for more effective and specific treatments against mast cell-related diseases.
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April 2018
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A 3D rendering of a Ubiquitin protein molecule. In this issue of Biochemical Society Transactions, Ovaa and Vertegaal discuss the role of ubiquitination and SUMO proteins in conjugation and deconjugation machineries; for details, see pages 423–436.
Review Article|
February 22 2018
Diverse exocytic pathways for mast cell mediators
Hao Xu;
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, U.S.A.
Correspondence: Hao Xu(hao.xu@usm.edu)
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Na-Ryum Bin;
Na-Ryum Bin
2Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8
3Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
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Shuzo Sugita
Shuzo Sugita
2Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8
3Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
September 08 2017
Revision Received:
December 23 2017
Accepted:
January 04 2018
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2018
Biochem Soc Trans (2018) 46 (2): 235–247.
Article history
Received:
September 08 2017
Revision Received:
December 23 2017
Accepted:
January 04 2018
Citation
Hao Xu, Na-Ryum Bin, Shuzo Sugita; Diverse exocytic pathways for mast cell mediators. Biochem Soc Trans 17 April 2018; 46 (2): 235–247. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20170450
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