Abstract
Mast cells have two subtypes, connective tissue mast cells (CTMC) and mucosal mast cells (MMC) . The role of CTMC in immediate type hypersensitivity is well recognized, whereas in vivo role of MMC is unknown yet. MMC differ from CTMC in sensitivity to secretagogues and in amount of mediators released. Many CTMC constantly distribute in connective tissues, while MMC appear only in specific conditions like intestinal parasite infection and proliferate depending on T-cells. It is, therefore, suggested that MMC have a distinct functional role from that of CTMC. Athymic nude mice show no MMC response to intestinal parasite infection and can not expel the worms. When IL-3, a mast cell growth factor, was repeatedly injected into KSN nude mice, number of MMC was markedly increased in the intestine.To see if the induced MMC show any effects on expulsion, IL-3 was injected into KSN nude mice infected with a nematode, Strongyloides ratti which are usually not expelled from the nude mice. As a result, S. ratti were completely expelled from the small intestine of the IL-3 treated-nude mice with markedly increased number of intestinal MMC. MMC induced with IL-3 probably effect on the expulsion of S. ratti. Mechanism of expressing the function of MMC in vivo is discussed.
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