Imaging of mast cells. Issue 1 (12th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tikoo, Shweta; Barki, Natasja; Jain, Rohit; Zulkhernain, Nursafwana S.; Buhner, Sabine; Schemann, Michael; Weninger, Wolfgang
• Is Part Of: Immunological reviews. Volume 282:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2018-02-12
• Subjects: cell lineages and subsets -- enteric nervous system -- ex vivo imaging techniques -- in vivo imaging techniques -- mast cells/basophils -- neuro‐immune‐signaling; Immunology -- Periodicals; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1111/imr.12631
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-2896

Abstract

Summary: Mast cells are a part of the innate immune system implicated in allergic reactions and the regulation of host‐pathogen interactions. The distribution, morphology and biochemical composition of mast cells has been studied in detail in vitro and on tissue sections both at the light microscopic and ultrastructural level. More recently, the development of fluorescent reporter strains and intravital imaging modalities has enabled first glimpses of the real‐time behavior of mast cells in situ. In this review, we describe commonly used imaging approaches to study mast cells in cell culture as well as within normal and diseased tissues. We further describe the interrogation of mast cell function via imaging by providing a detailed description of mast cell‐nerve plexus interactions in the intestinal tract. Together, visualizing mast cells has expanded our view of these cells in health and disease.