Mast Cells in the Ovine Lower Respiratory Tract: Heterogeneity, Morphology and Density

Abstract

The lower respiratory tract (LRT) of 6 adult sheep was fixed in either isotonic formalin-acetic acid or neutral buffered formalin in order to study the heterogeneity, morphology and density of mast cells (MCs). Two subtypes of MCs were found, one histochemically similar to connective tissue MCs (formalin resistant) and the other similar to mucosal MCs as found in the intestine of the rat (formalin sensitive). Although both subtypes were present at all levels of the tract, formalin-sensitive MCs were significantly more abundant (p < 0.01) at all levels, and their density increased distally from the trachea to the peripheral lung. The formalin-sensitive MCs were predominantly located in the alveolar septa and in the superficial lamina propria of airways and less frequently within the airway epithelium. The MCs in the ovine LRT were found to be morphologically heterogeneous at both the light-microscopic and electron-microscopic levels. These findings indicate that ovine respiratory tract MCs have similarity to human lung MCs, and therefore potential for use as a model for the study of human allergic disease of the respiratory system.

Östral ve Luteal Dönemlerdeki Koyunların Oviduktunda Mast Hücrelerinin İncelenmesi

“…Similar types of granules have been reported in mast cells found in the ovine respiratory system [26] . In addition to these two types, a third type has been defined, an intermediate type, between the former two types by means of electron density [26] . We classified the ovine oviduct mast cell granules into two categories: an electron dense and electron lucent.…”

“…Similarly, the AB/SO combined technique to determine mast cell heterogeneity in the goat reproductive tract resulted in AB(+) and SO(-) [25] . Mast cells in the ovine respiratory system were AB(+) reactive [26] . In the present study, mast cells in the ovine oviduct were determined as AB(+) and SO(-).…”

“…Notably, an eccentrically located electron dense crystal-like structure with well define edges was located in some of the electron lucent granules. It is known that the electron density and physical characteristics of the granule contents of mast cells granules is related to biochemical properties of mast cell granules, in which a number of bioactive molecules are entrapped [26] . Crystals with different shapes have been reported on human mast cells [28] .…”

Morfological and Histometric Studies on Mast Cell Distribution and Heterogeneity, Present in the Lower Respiratory Tract and in the Lung of Local Duck (Anas platyrhnchase) and Goose (Anser anser)

“…Çeşitli hayvan türlerindeki çalışmalarda da benzer bulguların olduğu bildirilmiştir 3,[20][21] . Kurtdede ve ark.…”

“…Mast hücrelerini belirlemek için çeşitli çalışmalarda farklı tespit solüsyonları kullanılmış ve birçok farklı sonuca ulaşılmıştır 3,21,23 . Yapılan bu çalışmada üç farklı tespit, BLA, IFAA ve Carnoy solüsyonları kullanılmış, organlara göre en uygun tespit türü belirlenmiştir.…”