Mast cells distribution in human liver disease and experimental rat liver fibrosis. Indications for mast cell participation in development of liver fibrosis

Increased Density of Interstitial Mast Cells in Amyloid A Renal Amyloidosis

“…A high MC density has been demonstrated at wound sites and fibrotic areas in various organs (18,20,21). Furthermore, previous studies have shown a significant relationship between the number of MCs and interstitial fibrosis in renal allografts (11), IgA nephritis (9), and RPGN (10).…”

Expression of the stem cell factor receptor c- kit in normal and diseased pediatric liver: Identification of a human hepatic progenitor cell?

“…24 In summary, while the present series of observations do not provide direct proof of the existence of a human hepatic stem cell, they add to the growing weight of circumstantial evidence in support of such a concept. There are now several independent reports describing cells in a number of human liver diseases [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]24,39,40 with distinctive morphological or phenotypic features that resemble those characteristic of rodent progenitor cells. 6,7,8,9,35,36 However, questions regarding the cellular lineages of these putative stem cells remain open and will be difficult to resolve by immunohistochemical means alone.…”

Mast cell hyperplasia in chronic rejection after liver transplantation

“…Several studies in recent years have suggested that they are involved in both cholestatic liver disease and hepatic fibrogenesis. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] With specific reference to autoimmune cholestatic liver disease in humans, Farrell et al 5 and Nakamura et al 7 both found significant increases in mast cell density in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).…”