Introduction

Abstract

The incredible versatility of the mast cell mirrors that of its discoverer. Paul Ehrlich left his profound mark on the study and alleviation of human disease, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1908. Dr. Ehrlich discovered the mast cell when he was a medical student, while conducting experiments on the utility of dyes in examining tissue architecture and pathology [1]. He named these newly discovered cells —mastzellen║ or —well fed cells? to recognize the profusion of granular material inside this cell. Over the next several decades, the function of the mast cell in modulating immune responses and anaphylactic reactions was well described. In the latter part of the last century, it became increasingly apparent that these tissue dwelling cells had a major role to play in the repair and remodeling of various tissues, and thereby in the pathogenesis of disease including cardiovascular disease [2]. Although initially thought to be a deleterious influence on tissue repair and remodeling, recent studies have shown the versatility of the mast cell in modulating tissue responses in a beneficial as well as an adverse manner. For example, our own work on hyperhomocysteinemia and radiation induced myocardial fibrosis demonstrated that the mast cell prevented myocardial fibrosis in these models [3,4]. Hence it is clear that understanding mast cell biology in the context of normal and abnormal tissue repair and remodeling will be crucial to preventing and treating cardiovascular disease. This book brings together world-renowned scientists in the field of mast cell biology to present the current knowledge regarding the role of these enigmatic cells in cardiovascular disease, and innovative research approaches to tackle this field of cardiovascular investigation. I will make a brief introduction to the field focusing on 3 aspects that are unique to the mast cell and may be useful in understanding the role of this cell in cardiovascular disease.