Mast Cells Methods and Protocols [Paperback]

A cutting-edge collection of readily reproducible techniques for the isolation, culture, and study of activation and signaling in human mast cells. These methods take advantage of the latest advances in molecular biology, technology, and information science. They include methods for the identification of mast cells, the development of mast cells in vitro, the study of mast cell signaling and gene expression, and the measurement of mast cell expression of inflammatory mediators. Additional chapters cover methods for studying mast cell interactions with other cell types (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and B cells), the roles of mast cells in host defense, and mast cell apoptosis.A cutting-edge collection of readily reproducible techniques for the isolation, culture, and study of activation and signaling in human mast cells. These methods take advantage of the latest advances in molecular biology, technology, and information science. They include methods for the identification of mast cells, the development of mast cells in vitro, the study of mast cell signaling and gene expression, and the measurement of mast cell expression of inflammatory mediators. Additional chapters cover methods for studying mast cell interactions with other cell types (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and B cells), the roles of mast cells in host defense, and mast cell apoptosis.Part I. Overview of Mast Cell BiologyPaul Ehrlich's 'Mastzellen'-From Aniline Dyes to DNA Chip Arrays: A Historical Review of Developments in Mast Cell ResearchHarsha Vyas and Guha KrishnaswamyThe Human Mast Cell: An OverviewGuha Krishnaswamy, Omar Ajitawi, and David S. ChiMast Cells in Allergy and Autoimmunity: Implications for Adaptive ImmunityGregory D. Gregory and Melissa A. BrownPart II. Identification of Mast Cells in Culture and in TissueAnalysis of MCT and MCTC Mast Cells in TissueLawrence B. SchwartzMast Cell Ultrastructure and Staining in TissueShruti A. Shukla, Ranjitha Veerappan, Judy S. Whittimore, Lou Elll3&