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Mast cells

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Immunology and Drug Therapy of Allergic Skin Diseases

Part of the book series: Progress in Inflammation Research ((PIR))

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Abstract

During his studies in Leipzig, more than 100 years ago, Paul Ehrlich described several tissue-bound and blood leukocytes according to their staining properties with basic and azurophilic dyes [1]. One particular cell type in the tissue contained many cytoplasmic granules which stained with a high affinity for certain basic dyes. These cells were located in the connective tissue near blood vessels. The fact that these cells increased in number when the frogs that were studied were put on a highly nutritious diet, and the cells appeared “overfed”, caused Ehrlich to name these “mast cells”, derived from the German word “Mästung” [2].

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  1. Department of Dermatology/Allergology, G02-124, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, CX, NL-3584, Netherlands

    Edward F. Knol

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  1. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, CX, NL-3584, Netherlands

    C. A. F. M. Bruijnzeel-Koomen  & E. Knol  & 

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Knol, E.F. (2000). Mast cells. In: Bruijnzeel-Koomen, C.A.F.M., Knol, E. (eds) Immunology and Drug Therapy of Allergic Skin Diseases. Progress in Inflammation Research. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8464-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8464-8_5

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

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