Mast Cells in Health and Oral Disease

Introduction: Mast cells (MC) are multifunctional secretory cells characterized by numerous large metachromatic staining protease-rich intracellular granules. They are derived from hematopoietic progenitor cells in bone marrow and do not mature into terminally differentiated cells until they reach the tissue or organ in which they become resident. They play a vital role in a number of defense and repair mechanisms due to their strategic location in the connective tissue at the interface with the microvasculature. Objectives: This review attempts to help improve our understanding on the types of MC, their morphology, staining characteristics, distribution, biological function, and their pathogenesis in inflammation, oral potentially malignant disorders, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. We hope this review recognizes the integral role of MC in oral pathological disorders and facilitates the opening of novel approaches to better therapies for improving the quality of life. Conclusion: Mast cells has shown to remodel extracellular matrix during wound healing. The entire ambit of allergic and hypersensitivity reactions are the adverse effects produced by the degranulation of MC. They participate in many inflammatory oral diseases as they possess diverse roles ranging from proinflammatory to immuno-modulatory. They accumulate at the boundary between healthy tissues and malignancies and are found in close association with blood vessels within the tumor microenvironment as they play an early role in angiogenesis