Ann M. Dvorak Knihy

The book delves into the unique roles of basophils and mast cells in hypersensitivity reactions and their involvement in various diseases and injury responses. It emphasizes the release of inflammatory mediators from these cells and the need for further understanding of their functions in health. The author reviews structural information, particularly focusing on ultrastructural studies of rat mast cells, and discusses the contents of granules and lipid bodies in multiple species. Detailed morphology guidelines for identifying these cells across species are also provided.

Basophils and mast cells are unique secretory cells central to inflammatory and immediate allergic reactions. This book reviews ultrastructural studies of these cells since an earlier monograph in 1991, introducing ultrastructural rules for their identification in new contexts. It highlights the distinct secretory granules and lipid bodies as important organelles. The author describes various ultrastructural imaging methods that reveal the subcellular locations of chymase, Charcot-Leyden crystal protein, histamine, heparin, and components involved in arachidonate and RNA metabolism, as well as cytokine biology. The findings shed light on the secretory mechanisms of basophils and mast cells, their recovery processes, and the transepithelial passage of macromolecules influenced by permeability mediators released from these cells. Featuring over 180 high-quality micrographs, this work is invaluable for basic scientists in immunology, cell biology, secretion, angiogenesis research, and histochemistry. Given the critical role of mast cells and basophils in various diseases, it is essential reading for specialists in allergology, immunology, dermatology, hematology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, neurology, pathology, pulmonology, and cardiology.