Is there any role of mast cell density and microvessel density in cervical squamous cell carcinoma? A histologic study with special reference to CD-34 immunomarker staining

Abstract

Background:Mast cells are involved in induction of angiogenesis in the early-stages of tumor development and in modulating blood vessel growth in the later stages of tumor progression.Aims and Objectives:This study was carried out to evaluate the association between mast cell density (MCD) and microvessel density (MVD) in carcinoma in situ (CIS), microinvasive carcinoma (CA) and invasive squamous cell CA of cervix.Materials and Methods:Six cases of CIS, four cases of microinvasive CA and 38 cases of invasive CA were studied over a period of 2 years from August, 2011 to June, 2013. Ten control samples were included in the study. Routine histologic examination was done. Toluidine blue stain was used for MCD determination. Immunohistochemical analysis with CD-34 was done for assessing MVD. Student's t-test was used to calculate the statistical significance of MCD and MVD.Results:Both MCD and MVD increased from normal samples through CIS to invasive cervical CA. In the four cases of microinvasive CA, the MCD and MVD were more than that of the control samples, but less than that of the six cases of CIS.Conclusion:There is a correlation between mast cell accumulation and angiogenesis in CIS, microinvasive CA and invasive cervical squamous cell CA. MCD and MVD in invasive CA exceed those in CIS and microinvasive CA. It gives us an opportunity to postulate that therapeutic strategies against mast cell mediators and angiogenesis may be of benefit in patients of early-stage cervical CA.

Immunohistochemical Assessment of Mast Cells and Small Blood Vessels in Dentigerous Cyst, Odontogenic Keratocyst, and Periapical Cyst

“…Many researchers have investigated the correlation between MCs and microvessels in numerous lesions of various sites in the body. [10][11][12]22 For instance, in a study on renal cell carcinoma, Mohseni et al 12 did not observe a correlation between the MCs and microvessels. On the other hand, Mondal et al 11 in a study on cervical squamous cell carcinoma, and Sharma et al 10 in a study on oral squamous cell carcinoma reported a positive correlation between the MCs and microvessels.…”

“…2,8,9 The role of MCs in vasoinductive events has been investigated by many researchers and these cells have been reported to promote angiogenesis in many lesions. [10][11][12] On the other hand, MCs may suppress the growth of the lesions by synthesizing various factors e.g. TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6.…”

Mast Cells Interact with Endothelial Cells to Accelerate In Vitro Angiogenesis

“…Mast cells have been shown to be associated with blood vessels and they accumulate near sites of new capillary formation, such as in atherosclerosis, hemangioma development, and tumorigenesis [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Notably, mast cell accumulation is correlated with increased neovascularization, tumor aggressiveness, and metastatic spread [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Previous studies have focused on the role of mast cells in enhancing angiogenesis through the release of pro-angiogenic factors [ 35 , 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”

“…Notably, mast cell accumulation is correlated with increased neovascularization, tumor aggressiveness, and metastatic spread [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Previous studies have focused on the role of mast cells in enhancing angiogenesis through the release of pro-angiogenic factors [ 35 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. However, the involvement of mast cells in angiogenesis is complex and not completely understood.…”

Mast Cells Interact with Endothelial Cells to Accelerate In Vitro Angiogenesis

“…Mast cells have been shown to be associated with blood vessels and they accumulate near sites of new capillary formation, such as in atherosclerosis, hemangioma development, and tumorigenesis [26][27][28][29][30]. Notably, mast cell accumulation is correlated with increased neovascularization, tumor aggressiveness, and metastatic spread [31][32][33][34]. Previous studies have focused on the role of mast cells in enhancing angiogenesis through the release of proangiogenic factors [35][36][37][38].…”