The book covers recent advances relating to the factors and mechanisms that regulate the growth, differentiation and function of mast cells and basophils. It describes new technologies used to study these cells. It also discusses how the basic scientific findings can be integrated into possible therapeutic applications.

The topics covered include (1) the development of mast cells and basophils; (2) early and late events in IgE/antigen activation of mast cells and basophils; (3) mechanisms of exocytosis; (4) non-IgE-mediated activation of mast cells and basophils, as well as of surface receptors that dampen activation responses; (5) protease, proteoglycan, lipid and cytokine mediators released from activated mast cells and basophils; and (6) bilateral interactions of mast cells with other cell types.

The book focuses on the role of mast cells and basophils in disease. Some of the discussions examine the part played by mast cells in allergic inflammation and the effect of stabilization of these cells in novel therapies. There is also discussion of mastocytosis and the underlying mutations. Recent evidence implicates mast cells in multiple sclerosis, diabetes and HIV-1 infection, and other studies identify mast cells in processes that control the onset and severity of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and insulin-dependent diabetes in mice. The strategic location of mast cells in the central nervous system (in multiple sclerosis) and in the pancreas (in diabetes), as well as their ability to express a variety of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, raises the possibility that mast cells either initiate the inflammatory responses directly or modulate the character of the T cell response.

Up-to-date and containing contributions from world leaders in the field, this book will be required reading for basic scientists and clinicians with an interest in mast cells and the related diseases.