Role of Mast Cells in the Brain

Our project, in collaboration with Dr. Ann-Judith Silverman, concerns the entry of mast cells into the CNS. Mast cells are best known for their role in inflammatory disease. However, they also exist in the CNS and are pluripotent as to the possible secretory products they can release. We have discovered that their numbers in specific brain regions appear to be controlled by developmental age and reproductive status. The goals now are to analyze at a cellular level how they enter the CNS (both physical pathways and potential chemotactic agents), and how they influence the brain vasculature, neuronal transmission and behavior.