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

Abstract

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. Tryptase-positive (MCT)- and tryptase/chymase-positive (MCTC)-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 MCT. 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 MCT phenotype. Furthermore, we detected abundant MCT but not MCTC 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 MCT distributed within the cervical tissues could provide an effective mechanism to create the abundantly vascularized microenvironment required for tumor cells to proliferate and disseminate.

Association between mast cells of different phenotypes and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer

“…The prevalence of the MCt over the MCtc phenotype has also been reported by other authors in various human cancers (27)(28)(29)(30). This general observation is to be expected, as when resident MCtcs in the submucosa come into close proximity with tumour cells they quickly become activated by tumour factors, beginning the piecemeal degranulation and, consequently, the transition from MCtcs in the static state to reactive MCts, enhancing the MCt number.…”

Expression of c-kit in fibroepithelial lesions of the breast is a mast cell phenomenon

“…Mast cell expression of c-kit is a well-established phenomenon 27 and mast cell infiltration of solid tumors has been observed in both breast 21,28,29 and non-breast neoplasms. [30][31][32][33] In fact, in epithelial tumors of the breast, the presence of mast cells was associated with lower grade tumors 29 and approached significance as an independent prognostic factor. 21 In the context of phyllodes tumors, based on our observations, it would appear that this trend may be in the opposite direction (Table 3), with more malignant phyllodes tumors containing mast cells than their benign and borderline counterparts, and phyllodes tumors as a group more frequently containing mast cells than fibroadenomas (but less frequently than cellular fibroadenomas).…”

Histamine Receptors as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Cancer Drug Development

“…Interestingly, mast cells can typically be found in the peritumoural stroma of cervix carcinomas, as well as in many other cancers. Furthermore, high numbers of active, degranulated mast cells have been described in HPV infections and cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (Cabanillas-Saez et al, 2002;Demitsu et al, 2002). Hence, a functional relationship between mast cells and tumour cells has been proposed, where mast cells are involved in stimulating tumour growth and progression by enhancing angiogenesis, immunosuppression, mitogenesis, and metastasis (Chang et al, 2006).…”