Abstract

Mast cells are among cells of the immune system and participate in various physiological and protective immune functions in the body. Association of mast cells with allergic reactions and parasitic infections is well- documented. Various studies indicate that mast cells also play an important role in non-allergic phenomenon. Mast cells are reported to phagocytize and process antigens and play a protective role in immune response against bacterial infections. Mast cells not only act as the first line of defense against parasitic and bacterial infections but exert similar protective functions in viral infections through intracellular and extracellular antiviral defense mechanisms. Additionally, studies in human and animal neoplasms indicate that mast cells and several mast cell mediators are angiogenic, promote tumor-associated angiogenesis and facilitate progress of tumor malignancies and metastasis. This brief review gives a concise account of the role of mast cells in tumor angiogenesis and in microbial (bacteria and virus) infections.

Keywords: Bacteria; Infection; Mast cell; Tumor-angiogenesis; Virus