The Role of Mast Cells in Maintaining Homeostasis of the Colon Mucosa

Abstract

Connection of the publication with planned research works.The work is a fragment of the SRW «Influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on the course of adaptive reactions of the body to physical exertion of various intensities» (state registration number 012U108187).Introduction.Mast cells (labrocytes) are a type of multifunctional cells of loose connective tissue, which contain specific basophilic granules [1,2]. Mast cells are heterogeneous cells of vascularized tissues, working as immune mediators at the «host-environment» interface in the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts, responding to various allergens, pathogens, parasites and other dangerous factors [1-3]. In addition, mast cells participate in the organization of the inflammatory response, simultaneously modulating the quality of tissue repair and remodelling [4].Mast cells are present in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract [5], where they participate in the creation of a kind of functional unit, «mast cells -nervous system», which is a key component in the interaction of paracrine signalling. Enteric neurons, vagal and spinal afferents express receptors for mast cell mediators [3,5], stimulating nerve endings and modulating their activation threshold. Similarly, neuropeptides and neurotransmitters released by neurons stimulate the secretion of mast cell mediators, which additionally activate neuron receptors, thus supporting this neuroimmune interaction [6,7].