Mast cells and chronic symptomology

Mast cells originate from haemapoietic precurser cell expressing CD34. It is proposed that they evolve from monocyte lineages. They are morpologically round, about 5-10 um in diameter and have densly packed granules, often obscurring the nucleus, which is about one third the size of the cell.
Mast cells are intimately involved with host defense and wound healing, and many other things.
There are primarily two different classes of mast cells; one is distributed in connective tissue, and the other in mucus membranes.
Mast cells have a very broad range of functions, and have a very diverse role in the immune system and other physiological events.
Mass cells are directly involved in the inflammatory process.
The granules have extreme biological activity, and can mediate a wide range of physiological events when released. Degranulation is stimulated by direct stress {such as injury} or by cross linking with IgE receptors and activation of complement.
I propose, that other soluble peptides, and neurotransmitters can also act as activation factors.
Mast cells present a high affinity receptor for IgE [Fc region] called FceRI.
Important to note, that mast cells have recently been attributed as defense system against parasitic infections such as intestinal worms.
Here are some of the known characteristics of granule mediators:
Histamine, proteoglycans-- mainly heparin {anticoagulant}, serine proteases, lipid mediators-{eg. eicosanoids}, prostaglandin d2, luekotreine C4, cytokines and chemkines.
They also contain serotonin, dopamine, trypase, and chamase.
Mast cells secrete many pleiotropic {multiple effects} cytokines. This means there may still be many functions of this cell yet to be discovered.
Because of the ubiquitous distribution of mast cells throughout the connective tissues, epithelial surfaces, and close proximity to blood vessles, it make their products available to a large variety of cell types including fibroblasts {like skin making cells}, glandular epithelial cells, nerves, vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and finally cells of the immune system.
Plus, there is a myriad of lipid mediators [important to note], proteases, proteoglygans {which can also play a role in the activity and stability of proteins and signaling molecules}, and again, cytokines and chemokines.
There is new evidence that mast cell cytokine responses are regulated by pathogens\parasites and their products. This is a very important point to remember, when considering the potential symptoms attributed to chronic infections. So, in other words, mast cells can induce cytokine activity relative to the type of antigen or pathogen.