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Mast cell proteinases and cytokines in skin inflammation

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Abstract

The role of mast cells in provoking immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions is well established, but their involvement in chronic inflammation and immune reactions is not so clear. Mast cells synthesize and secrete large amounts of active proteinases, including tryptase, chymase, carboxypeptidase and cathepsin G, which can rapidly process numerous biologically active peptides and proteins or their precursors. Furthermore, mast cells are able to produce a variety of cytokines such as interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) which are known to be intensively involved in modulating and directing inflammatory responses in the skin. In this review, the role of mast cell proteinases and cytokines in skin inflammation is discussed.

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  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Kuopio, Clinical Research Unit, P. O. Box 1627, SF-70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Ilkka T. Harvima, Leena Horsmanheimo & Maija Horsmanheimo

  2. Department of Clinical Pathology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

    Anita Naukkarinen

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  1. Ilkka T. Harvima
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Harvima, I.T., Horsmanheimo, L., Naukkarinen, A. et al. Mast cell proteinases and cytokines in skin inflammation. Arch Dermatol Res 287, 61–67 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00370720

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