The role of mast cells in ischemia and reperfusion injury

Ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury is a challenging clinical problem that is triggered by ischemia in an organ followed by subsequent restoration of the blood supply. The effects of mast cell (MC) in IR injury are not totally clear. We review the body of literature on the role of MCs in IR injury based on an unrestricted Pubmed search for the descriptors mast cell, ischemia and reperfusion injury, as well as discuss implications for treatment and future directions. Shortly after IR, chemicals released by MC can trigger vasoactive substance formation, tissue leakage, upregulation of adhesive molecules followed by leukocyte recruitment and infiltration, and pronecrotic pathway activation, among other physiologic changes. In the long term, MCs may influence tissue remodeling and repair as well as blood restoration after IR. Consistent with these findings, methods and drugs that target MCs have been shown to attenuate IR injury. It has been demonstrated that MCs play a role in IR injury, but the mechanisms are complex and need to be further studied.