Mast Cells: The Key Players in Cardiac Remodelling

Abstract

The Mast Cells (MCs) are part of the immune system and they are actively involved
in the inflammatory and allergic reactions. The MCs produce and release a wide variety of
biologically active products, eg, histamine, Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Transforming
growth factor-β (TGF-β), interleukin and renin, which are involved in cardiac remodelling.
MCs are considered culprits in various cardiovascular pathologies such as pressure and volume
overload, ventricular dilatation, and heart failure. The deleterious role of MCs in failing heart
and myocardial remodelling is being rigorously pursued in animal and human studies. The focus
of this mini review is to highlight the detrimental effects of MCs in the cardiac remodelling
process