Mast cell-nerve axis with a focus on the human gut

This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the interactions between intestinal mast cells, enteric neurons and visceral afferents which are part of the gut brain axis. The focus of this review is on the relevance of the mast cell-nerve axis in the human intestine. Similarities and important differences in the organization of the mast cell-nerve axis between human and rodents are discussed. Functionally important human mast cell mediators with neural actions in the human ENS are histamine (H1-4 receptors), proteases (PAR1 receptors), several cytokines and chemokines and probably also serotonin (5-HT3 receptors). On the other hand, mediator release from human intestinal mast cells is modulated by neuropeptides released from enteric and visceral afferent nerves. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Mast Cells in Inflammation. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.