Table 2.

Summary of the Studies Featured in This Review Using Natural and Hybrid Biomaterials

Biomaterial	MC type	Use of biomaterial	Outcome
Chitosan coating on TCP and sponges89	Rat: RBL-2H3 cell line and in vivo	MCs were plated on chitosan-coated TCP. Chitosan sponges, treated with and without acid, were implanted subcutaneously into the lumbar regions of rats in vivo for 7 days.	In vitro, chitosan increased β-hexosaminidase release. In vivo, histological staining showed MC markers such as Kit and NASDCE found in throughout the fibrous capsules that developed in response to implanted chitosan.
Chitosan and chitosan/alginate NPs90	Human: HMC-1 cell line	NPs prepared from chitosan and chitosan/alginate were loaded with C48/80 and cultured in vitro with MCs.	In vitro β-hexosaminidase release on chitosan NPs with and without C48/80 was increased vs. chitosan/alginate NPs and C48/80 alone.
Chitosan and chitosan/alginate nanoparticles91	Human: HMC-1 cell line	NPs prepared from chitosan and chitosan/alginate and cultured in vitro with HMC-1 cells.	β-Hexosaminidase release was increased in MCs cultured with chitosan only NPs and C48/80 alone vs. chitosan/alginate NPs. Toluidine blue staining gave evidence of degranulation.
COS92	Rat: RBL-2H3 cell line	COS were cultured in vitro for 1 h with MCs, which were sensitized via dinitrophenyl-specific IgE overnight then stimulated via dinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin for 1 h.	Histamine and β-hexosaminidase release as well as intracellular [Ca2+] were downregulated when in culture with COS. Protein and mRNA expression of all three chains (α, β and γ) of FcɛRI, were also downregulated.
Collagen and fibrinogen connective tissue model54	Human: CD133+ progenitors from peripheral blood	MC progenitors cocultured with fibroblasts in a collagen matrix for 6 weeks. A collagen/fibronectin coating was applied on top at the seventh week and endothelial cells were seeded a week later. This model represented connective tissue with a capillary wall (CTEM).	MC progenitors in the CTEM demonstrated signs of maturation through CD117(KIT), FcɛRI, chymase and tryptase expression. These now matured MCs also released histamine in response to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen.
Hyaluronan and gelatin93	Rat: RBL-2H3 cell line	Hyaluronan and gelatin coatings were used to culture MCs on glass or TCP. MCs were also antigen-stimulated before measuring intracellular [Ca2+], β-hexosaminidase release, and paxillin and FAK phosphorylation.	MCs cultured on hydrogel-coated glass exhibit a round morphology compared to spreading out on glass only. Depending on the type of antigen stimulation, degranulation and intracellular [Ca2+] were suppressed in MCs on hydrogel coating. FAK phosphorylation was also suppressed on hydrogel coatings.
PCL/chitosan NPs57	Human: HMC-1 cell line; murine: in vivo	NPs were cultured with MCs in vitro for 45 min. NPs with a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG) were subcutaneously injected into mice to test whether they would cause an elevation in IgE.	MCs cultured with NPs increased in vitro β-hexosaminidase release in a dose-dependent manner. IgE levels in mice injected with HBsAg-NPs remained low, while rising IgG titers to levels comparable to commercial levels.
poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide/chitosan NPs96	Rat: RBL-2H3 cell line; murine: PMCs and in vivo (anaphylaxis model)	NPs made with and without chitosan were cultures in vitro with MCs.	NPs made with chitosan had higher uptake levels than NPs without chitosan. NPs, both with and without chitosan suppressed histamine release. Serum histamine levels in vivo were decreased with NPs with chitosan vs. NPs alone.
Decellularized dermis ECM hydrogels100	Human: LAD2 cell line	LAD2 cells were cultured in vitro in porcine-derived dermis ECM hydrogels for up to 7 days.	Upregulated metabolic activity and gene expression of all three chains of FcɛRI was found at 7 days when compared to a commercial collagen control.

C48/80, compound 48/80; COS, chitosan oligosaccharides; CTEM, connective tissue-equivalent matrix; ECM, extracellular matrix; FAK, focal adhesion kinase; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; TCP, tissue culture plastic; NASDCE, naphthol AS-d chloroacetate esterase; PMCs, peritoneal mast cells.