MAST CELLS IN THE MILIEU: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN THE TONGUE AND LIVER

Abstract

Mast Cells (MCs) have diverse roles in health and disease. These immune cells migrate in a tissue-specific manner to target sites where they can alert or amplify immune responses through exocytosis of their bioactive granules. Granule exocytosis can be triggered by both external immunological and non-immunological signals. Depending on the local milieu, MCs are highly heterogeneous cells with significant phenotypic plasticity and functional diversity. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in MC populations in the tongue and liver to advance the understanding of how organ-specific location may affect MC phenotypic variance and functions. MCs were investigated using light and electron microscopy in tissues obtained from rats housed in identical conditions. Connective tissue MCs were identified in both the tongue and liver and showed phenotypic differences in secretory activity and granule characteristics. These findings indicate that phenotypic variance depends on tissue location. This knowledge may help develop strategies for preventing or treating diseases.