The Mast cell reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Mast cell

A mast cell is the resident cell of connective tissue that contains many granules rich in histamine and heparan sulphate.

Release of histamine from mast cells is responsible for the immediate reddening of the skin in a weal and flare response. They are very similar to basophil granulocytes and are possibly derived from the same stem cells.

Two types of mast cells are now recognised, those from connective tissue and a distinct set of mucosal mast cells, the activities of the latter are T-cell dependent.

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