Mast cells, hypoxia and structure of the vascular bed

Abstract

Mast cells represent a heterogeneous and multifunctional cells population distributed throughout tissues. Their participation in the response to chronic hypoxia is discussed in consideration to their role in the angiogenesis and remodeling of pulmonary vasculature, including relevance of proangiogenic factors, mediators and proteolytic enzymes released by activated mast cells.

Possible mechanism of mast cells activation by hypoxia is considered.

Keywords

• Mast cells
• chronic hypoxia