Mast Cells as Targets for the Therapy of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

The etiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is poorly understood. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that immunological and inflammatory responses are activated during this disease. A better understanding of these events will help identify appropriate therapeutic interventions. Mast cell hyperplasia is a prominent feature of inflamed intestinal tissue in IBD. Intestinal mast cells are heterogeneous and at least two populations are present in the human intestine. The authors' objective is to explore mast cell properties, activation and mediators that are involved in the induction, maintenance and perpetuation of inflammatory lesions in the intestine. Although some therapies used in IBD can modulate mast cell activities, whether these actions are important in the beneficial effects of the drugs is unknown. Future drug development targeted to the inhibition of mast cells might be of therapeutic value. However, a cascade of different cellular events are involved in IBD development. The complexity of the disease raises difficulties in the development of therapies. Multiple drugs, selective for different phases of the disease or acting on different cells, might be most appropriate, rather than a single, all-encompassing therapeutic agent.