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Perifollicular Mast Cells

Meaning

Perifollicular mast cells are specialized immune cells residing in the connective tissue sheath immediately surrounding the hair follicle bulb, placing them at a critical interface for neuro-immuno-endocrine communication in the skin. These cells are central players in the skin’s local immune surveillance and inflammatory responses, storing and releasing potent mediators like histamine, tryptase, and pro-inflammatory cytokines upon activation. Their strategic location and degranulation activity are increasingly recognized as a key regulatory component of the hair growth cycle and in the pathogenesis of stress-induced hair loss.