Mast Cells: Potential Positive and Negative Roles in Tumor Biology

Abstract

Mast cells are immune cells that reside in virtually all vascularized tissues. Upon activation by diverse mechanisms, mast cells can secrete a broad array of biologically active products that either are stored in the cytoplasmic granules of the cells (e.g., histamine, heparin, various proteases) or are produced de novo upon cell stimulation (e.g., prostaglandins, leukotrienes, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors). Mast cells are best known for their effector functions during anaphylaxis and acute IgE-associated allergic reactions, but they also have been implicated in a wide variety of processes that maintain health or contribute to disease. There has been particular interest in the possible roles of mast cells in tumor biology. In vitro studies have shown that mast cells have the potential to influence many aspects of tumor biology, including tumor development, tumor-induced angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling, and the shaping of adaptive immune responses to tumors. Yet, the actual contributions of mast cells to tumor biology in vivo remain controversial. Here, we review some basic features of mast cell biology with a special emphasis on those relevant to their potential roles in tumors. We discuss how using in vivo tumor models in combination with models in which mast cell function can be modulated has implicated mast cells in the regulation of host responses to tumors. Finally, we summarize data from studies of human tumors that suggest either beneficial or detrimental roles for mast cells in tumors. Cancer Immunol Res; 1(5); 269-79. Ó2013 AACR. Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of InterestNo potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Eosinophils and Cancer

“…Eosinophils secrete nerve growth factor (NGF), a cytokine involved in mast cell survival and activation (reviewed in refs. 1,22). Interestingly, patients with a myeloproliferative variant of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) characterized by elevated serum tryptase levels are more likely to develop end-organ fibrosis (23), suggesting that mast cells may have an important role in eosinophil-mediated fibrosis.…”

Immunohistochemical Assessment of Mast Cells and Small Blood Vessels in Dentigerous Cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst, and Periapical Cyst

“…TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6. 13,14 There has been much interest in assessing the contribution of MCs in pathology of different lesions. However, the definitive in vivo roles of MCs remain controversial.…”

Original paper A positive correlation between immunohistochemical expression of CD31 and mast cell tryptase in odontogenic tumors

“…histamine, MC tryptase, heparin) or are produced on cell activation (e.g. growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines) [5]. Mast cells are known for participation in anaphylaxis and bone resorption and interaction with other immune cells [4][5][6].…”

“…growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines) [5]. Mast cells are known for participation in anaphylaxis and bone resorption and interaction with other immune cells [4][5][6]. In this study, we compared mast cell tryptase and CD31 expression between odontogenic tumors with the aim of predicting the clinical behavior of these lesions at the time of initial biopsy.…”

“…tumor growth, tumor-induced angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. However, the definitive in vivo contribution of MCs to tumor biology remains controversial [5,8,9]. It is yet not clear whether MCs are for or against tumor growth [10].…”