Stem cell factor-dependent mast cell proliferation, maturation and activity can be regulated by inhibitory receptors

Ewa Brzezińska-Błaszczyk, Edyta Bąbolewska (Centr Eur J Immunol 2013; 38 (1): 134-140) DOI (digital object identifier): 10.5114/ceji.2013.34371 view full text   Mast cells play an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. That is why, the factors and the mechanisms regulating mast cell development, maturation, proliferation, and activity within tissues are of special importance. More and more data indicate that mast cells express inhibitory receptors. Furthermore, there are findings that inhibitory receptors can modulate IgE-dependent mast cell activity, thereby influencing the intensity of allergic processes. Bearing in mind that c-kit (CD117)-specific stem cell factor (SCF) not only affects mast cell activity but also strongly promotes mast  cell development and proliferation, it is extremely interesting whether inhibitory receptors modulate SCF-mediated mast cell response. Nowadays, certain data suggest that some inhibitory receptors, such as FcγRIIB, CD72 molecule, paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PIR-B), CD300a molecule, and gp49B1 glycoprotein, can affect CD117-dependent mast cell activity and proliferation. keywords: mast cells, inhibitory receptors, mast cell development, stem cell factor