Mast cells: Re emergence of a pivotal role in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]

ABSTRACT

Mast cells have long been thought to play a central role in asthma through their ability release proinflammatory mediators, but this role has been questioned by the lack of efficacy of antihistaminics and the so called mast cell stabilizing drugs. However, the evidenced increases of mast cells in the airway of asthmatics, especially the smooth muscles and the recent evidence of a more active role of smooth muscle in the pathogenesis of asthma has led to the re-emergence of mast sell as a pivotal role in asthma. This striking increase of mast cells in the airway was detected also in smokers and patients with COPD, thus drawn the attention towards the possibility of finding new treatment strategies. The aim of the current study was to investigate the presence of a relation between the number of mast sells in airway wall [smooth muscles and lamina propria] and severity of asthma and COPD. The mean number of mast cells in lamina propria and smooth muscles were higher the severer the disease, whether asthma or COPD. A positive correlation was detected between the mean number of mast cells in lamina propria and those in smooth muscles in all studied cases. Negative correlation was detected between mean number of mast cells in lamina propria and in smooth muscles and functional parameters in all studied cases.