Mast cells are multifarious immune cells with complex roles in tissue homeostasis and disease. They produce a plethora of mediators that play roles in inflammation, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Recent insights into the heterogeneity of cardiac mast cell (CMC) subpopulations have renewed interest in their functional diversity in homeostasis and disease. They are located within the human heart in the myocardium, in atherosclerotic plaques, in the aortic valve, and in close proximity to nerves. Their plasticity enables different and even opposite functions in response to changing tissue contexts. These characteristics render CMCs intriguing, with a dichotomous role in protecting against, or accelerating, cardiovascular diseases. Future work should aim to identify CMC subsets, which could reveal novel therapeutic opportunities for cardiovascular disorders.

肥大细胞是在组织体内稳态和疾病中具有复杂作用的多种免疫细胞。它们产生大量介体，在炎症，血管生成，淋巴管生成和组织重塑中发挥作用。对心脏肥大细胞（CMC）亚群异质性的最新见解，引起了人们对其在稳态和疾病中功能多样性的兴趣。它们位于心肌的人心脏内，动脉粥样硬化斑块，主动脉瓣中，并且紧邻神经。它们的可塑性能够响应不断变化的组织环境而实现不同甚至相反的功能。这些特征使CMC引人入胜，在预防或加速心血管疾病方面具有二分作用。未来的工作应旨在识别CMC子集，