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The riddle of the mast cell: kit(CD117)-ligand as the missing link?

1994; Elsevier BV; Volume: 15; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0167-5699(94)90153-8

1355-8242

Peter Valent,

Cell Adhesion Molecules Research

Tissue mast cells are multifunctional immune cells and have been implicalited in allergic and inflammatory reactions. However, while the role of allergen binding to surface IgE via the high-affinity Fcϵ receptor on mast cells is well understood, major questions in mast-cell biology remain to be answered. In particular, it is largely unknown which stimuli lead to the differentiation of human mast cells from their precursor cells and how the maturing cells localize for home) and acquire effector functions within the microvasculature. A potential solution is suggested by Peter Valent in this viewpoint. The emerging concept is that a single tissue hormone, the ligand of the c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor (CD117), provides a key signal in multiple aspects of most-cell diffenentiation and function.