The mast cell: a comprehensive, updated review.

The mast cell has been suspected of playing an important clinical role for over a century. Improved techniques to isolate and purify homogeneous mast cell populations have made it easier to study mast cell activation, secretion, heterogeneity, and differentiation in several animal models including man. Despite the many laboratory accomplishments made which better characterize the mast cell, there is still a paucity of information that can be practically applied to clinical situations. This review will concentrate on events leading up to the recent advances made in specific areas of mast cell research.