Immunological modulation of human cardiac mast cells

Human mast cells, by elaborating Various cytokines, chemokines and proinfla mmatory mediators play a complex role in several allergic and inflammatory disorders. Mast cells have been identified in human heart tissue in close p roximity to the sarcolemma, in perivascular and adventitial locations and i n the shoulder region of coronary atheroma. Human heart mast cells (HHMC) c an be isolated from patients undergoing heart transplantation and can be im munologically activated in vitro to induce the release of tryptase, chymase , cysteinyl leukotriene C-4 and prostaglandin D-2. Several cytokines (e.g., stem cell factor and TNF-alpha) reside in secretory granules of HHMC. Mast cell density is increased in the hearts of patients with ischemic and idio pathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiac mast cells might contribute to the e volution of atherosclerosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, cardiac and systemic a naphylaxis through the release of cytokines and vasoactive and proinflammat ory mediators.