Lab

Mast Cell

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Mast Cell

  • See Also
  1. Mastocytosis
  2. Basophil
  3. Immediate Hypersensitivity Reaction
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Granulocyte originating in the Bone Marrow, with peripheral target regions in the skin and connect tissue
  2. High affinity for IgE and FceRI receptors
  3. Functionally most similar to Basophils, and primarily responds to Immediate Hypersensitivity Reaction
    1. Releases histamine (as well as other vasoactive Cytokines and mediators stored in secretory granules)
    2. Results in wheal and flare reaction
    3. Red (vasodilation)
    4. Edema (vasodilation, vascular leak)
  • Labs
  • Morphology on Blood Smear
  1. Diameter: 10-15 um
  2. Bilobed or multi-lobed nucleus
  3. Appearance dominated by the contained dense granules that stain purple
  • References
  1. Mahmoudi (2014) Immunology Made Ridiculously Simple, MedMaster, Miami, FL