Editing Mast cell (section)

===In the nervous system===
Unlike other [[hematopoietic cell]]s of the [[immune system]], mast cells naturally occur in the [[human brain]] where they interact with the [[neuroimmune system]].<ref name="Mast cell neuroimmmune system">{{cite journal | vauthors = Polyzoidis S, Koletsa T, Panagiotidou S, Ashkan K, Theoharides TC | title = Mast cells in meningiomas and brain inflammation | journal = J Neuroinflammation | volume = 12 | issue = 1 | pages = 170 | year = 2015 | pmid = 26377554 | pmc = 4573939 | doi = 10.1186/s12974-015-0388-3 | quote = MCs originate from a bone marrow progenitor and subsequently develop different phenotype characteristics locally in tissues. Their range of functions is wide and includes participation in allergic reactions, innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation, and autoimmunity [34]. In the human brain, MCs can be located in various areas, such as the pituitary stalk, the pineal gland, the area postrema, the choroid plexus, thalamus, hypothalamus, and the median eminence [35]. In the meninges, they are found within the dural layer in association with vessels and terminals of meningeal nociceptors [36]. MCs have a distinct feature compared to other hematopoietic cells in that they reside in the brain [37]. MCs contain numerous granules and secrete an abundance of prestored mediators such as corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), neurotensin (NT), substance P (SP), tryptase, chymase, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), TNF, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and varieties of chemokines and cytokines some of which are known to disrupt the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) [38–40].<br /><br />[The] key role of MCs in inflammation [34] and in the disruption of the BBB [41–43] suggests areas of importance for novel therapy research. Increasing evidence also indicates that MCs participate in neuroinflammation directly [44–46] and through microglia stimulation [47], contributing to the pathogenesis of such conditions such as headaches, [48] autism [49], and chronic fatigue syndrome [50]. In fact, a recent review indicated that peripheral inflammatory stimuli can cause microglia activation [51], thus possibly involving MCs outside the brain. | doi-access = free }}</ref> In the brain, mast cells are located in a number of structures that mediate visceral sensory (e.g. pain) or [[neuroendocrine]] functions or that are located along the [[blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier]], including the [[pituitary stalk]], [[pineal gland]], [[thalamus]], and [[hypothalamus]], [[area postrema]], [[choroid plexus]], and in the dural layer of the [[meninges]] near meningeal [[nociceptor]]s.<ref name="Mast cell neuroimmmune system" /> Mast cells serve the same general functions in the body and central nervous system, such as effecting or regulating allergic responses, innate and adaptive immunity, [[autoimmunity]], and inflammation.<ref name="Mast cell neuroimmmune system" /><ref name="pmid32423330">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ren H, Han R, Chen X, Liu X, Wan J, Wang L, Yang X, Wang J | title =  Potential therapeutic targets for intracerebral hemorrhage-associated inflammation: An update | journal = J Cereb Blood Flow Metab | date = May 2020 | volume = 40 | issue = 9 | pages = 1752–1768 | pmid = 32423330 | doi = 10.1177/0271678X20923551 | pmc = 7446569 }}</ref> Across systems, mast cells serve as the main [[effector cell]] through which pathogens can affect the [[gut–brain axis]].<ref name="pmid24833851" /><ref name="Microbiome-CNS-ENS" />