Characterization of mast cells according to their content of tryptase and chymase in normal and neoplastic human uterine cervix

Abstract

Cabanillas-Saez A, Schalper JA, Nicovani SM, Rudolph MI. Characterization of mast cells according to their content of tryptase and chymase in normal and neoplastic human uterine cervix. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2002;12:92-98.Mast cells (MC) have been associated with diverse human cancers. The primary function of these cells is to store and release a number of biologically active mediators, including the serine proteases tryptase and chymase. These proteases have been closely related with angiogenesis and tumor invasion, two critical steps during tumor progression. In the present work we analyzed the presence of MC in human uterine cervix from both normal and neoplastic tissues by using metachromatic, immunohistochemical, and enzymohistochemical staining. Tryptasepositive (MC T )-and tryptase/chymase-positive (MC TC )-mast cells were found in both normal and neoplastic tissues. The phenotype predominantly expressed in normal tissues as well as in benign and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix was the MC T . The total number of MC remained constant through the different stages of malignant transformation (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1-3) but a significant increase in the invasive carcinoma (IC) group was observed, this increase being mainly due to the MC T phenotype. Furthermore, we detected abundant MC T but not MC TC infiltrating tumors in sections of IC. Regarding the potent angiogenic properties described for tryptase, these findings suggest that in advanced stages of malignancy the significant number of MC T distributed within the cervical tissues could provide an effective mechanism to create the abundantly vascularized microenvironment required for tumor cells to proliferate and disseminate.

Characterization of mast cell subpopulations in lip cancer

“…To determine MC subpopulations (MC T , MC TC ) in normal lip and lip SCC, the formula: Total MCs = MC T + MC TC was used as previously described (7), where Total MCs = tryptase‐positive MCs and MC TC = chymase‐positive MCs. Results were confirmed by co‐localization of serial sections stained either for tryptase‐ or chymase‐positive MCs (Figs 2 and 3).…”

“…Between steps, slides were washed three times in 1% BSA‐TBS. Uterine cancer sections were used as positive control (7), and the non‐specific IgG1 mouse monoclonal antibody (12CONT01, Chemicon Int.) was used as a negative control.…”

Increased mast cell density and protease content in actinic cheilitis

“…However the events leading to AC transformation remain to be Increased MC density and protease content in actinic cheilitis elucidated. Several studies have shown that MC subpopulations and their distribution could vary depending on the malignancy of the lesion (21)(22)(23). In SCC of the lip, Yang and colleagues (22) found that MC TC predominated.…”

“…Immunohistochemical staining of tryptase-positive mast cells Tissue sections were stained for tryptase-positive MCs as previously described (21) with some modifications. Briefly, sections were deparaffinized in xylene and descending grades of ethanol to PBS.…”

Prostatik Adenokarsinomlarda Triptaz ve Kimaz Ekspresyon Farklılıkları

“…41 Cabanillas-Saez et al have shown an increased number of MCT type mast cells in invasive uterine cervix carcinoma when compared with normal tissue. In addition, signifi cantly increasednumbers of mast cells were detected also in the close vicinity to the epithelium in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive carcinoma but not in the stroma 42.…”