Mast cell, basophil and eosinophil differentiation antigens: Mechanisms of activation.

The role played by any cell in the body depends on its capacity to recognize any respond to all useful information present in its environment. This double recognition and activation function is usually mediated by membrane structures, called receptors. Each cell type is therefore characterized by a particular combination of receptors. Activation mechanisms propagate the information received at the membrane to the interior of the cell and transform it into << function orders >> for a certain number of enzymes, resulting, for example, in modulation of the release of mediators, modulation of the proliferative activity, or cell migration. The activation signal is propagated in the cell by means of cascades of molecular interactions between numerous effecters and second messengers. The authors review the various strategies used by mast cell, basophil and eosinophil membrane receptors to activate these cells.