There is compelling evidence that human mast cells contribute to the pathophysiology of
asthma. Mast cells, but not T cells or eosinophils, localize within the bronchial smooth
muscle bundles in patients with asthma but not in normal subjects or those with eosinophilic
bronchitis, a factor likely to be important in determining the asthmatic phenotype. The
mechanism of mast cell recruitment by asthmatic airway smooth muscle involves the
CXCL10/CXCR3 axis, and several mast cell mediators have profound effects on airway …