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©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 14, 2007; 13(22): 3027-3030
Published online Jun 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i22.3027
Published online Jun 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i22.3027
Mucosal mast cells are pivotal elements in inflammatory bowel disease that connect the dots: Stress, intestinal hyperpermeability and inflammation
Ashkan Farhadi, Jeremy Z Fields, Ali Keshavarzian, Division of Digestive disease and Nutrition, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Ashkan Farhadi, MD, MS, FACG, Section of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite 206, Professional Building, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States. ashkan_farhadi@rush.edu
Telephone: +1-312-9425861 Fax: +1-312-5633883
Received: March 15, 2007
Revised: March 30, 2006
Accepted: April 26, 2007
Published online: June 14, 2007
Revised: March 30, 2006
Accepted: April 26, 2007
Published online: June 14, 2007
Abstract
Mast cells (MC) are pivotal elements in several physiological and immunological functions of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. MC translate the stress signals that has been transmitted through brain gut axis into release of proinflammatory mediators that can cause stimulation of nerve endings that could affect afferent nerve terminals and change their perception, affect intestinal motility, increase intestinal hyperpermeability and, in susceptible individuals, modulate the inflammation. Thus, it is not surprising that MC are an important element in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease and non inflammatory GI disorders such as IBS and mast cell enterocolitis.
Keywords: Mast cells, Intestinal permeability, Stress, Inflammatory bowel disease, Irritable bowel syndrome, Intestinal barrier