Mast Cells in Health and Oral Disease

Introduction: Mast cells (MC) are multifunctional secretory
cells characterized by numerous large metachromatic staining
protease-rich intracellular granules. They are derived from
hematopoietic progenitor cells in bone marrow and do not
mature into terminally differentiated cells until they reach the
tissue or organ in which they become resident. They play a
vital role in a number of defense and repair mechanisms due to
their strategic location in the connective tissue at the interface
with the microvasculature.
Objectives: This review attempts to help improve our understanding
on the types of MC, their morphology, staining characteristics,
distribution, biological function, and their pathogenesis
in inflammation, oral potentially malignant disorders, and oral
squamous cell carcinoma. We hope this review recognizes the
integral role of MC in oral pathological disorders and facilitates
the opening of novel approaches to better therapies for improving
the quality of life.
Conclusion: Mast cells has shown to remodel extracellular
matrix during wound healing. The entire ambit of allergic and
hypersensitivity reactions are the adverse effects produced by
the degranulation of MC. They participate in many inflammatory
oral diseases as they possess diverse roles ranging from proinflammatory
to immuno-modulatory. They accumulate at the
boundary between healthy tissues and malignancies and are
found in close association with blood vessels within the tumor
microenvironment as they play an early role in angiogenesis.