[The regulation of mast cell migration. Part 2: mast cell chemoattractants]

Abstract

There are many humoral factors that regulate the migration of mast cell progenitors from the blood into tissues and the migration of mature mast cells within tissues, leading to the rapid accumulation that occurs in diverse pathological conditions. First of all, mast cell migration is stimulated by some chemokines, such as RANTES, eotaxin, and IL-8. Moreover, many cytokines induce the migration of mast cells (i.e. SCF, TNF, IL-15). Finally, the migration of mast cells is also stimulated by many other humoral factors, including those involved in inflammatory process, such as C3a, C5a, histamine, PAF, and CRP. Because mast cells play an essential role in diverse physiological and pathological processes, it seems to be of great importance to know the mechanisms underlying the migration of immature and mature mast cells. However, current knowledge about these processes is still insufficient.