Mast cell quantitation in nasal polyps, sinus mucosa and nasal turbinate mucosa

Abstract

The distribution and abundance of mast cells in nasal polyps, the maxillary sinus mucosa of patients with sinusitis and the turbinate mucosa of allergic rhinitis was microscopically examined using different methods of fixation. In the epithelium of the surface and the ducts of nasal polyps (n = 8), the mean number of mast cells was over 20,000 per mm3 using Mota's fixation and the increase was correlated with the epithelial thickness (P<0.05). On the other hand those of the maxillary sinus mucosa (n = 6) and the nasal turbinate mucosa (n = 7) were less than 6,000 per mm3. In the subepithelial layer or areas deeper than the area with the glands, however, mast cell counts were less than 3,200 per mm3 in all diseases. More than 70–90 per cent of all mast cells in the epithelium of the mucosal surface and the ducts of the polyp, the maxillary sinus mucosa and nasal turbinates were formalin sensitive. Most of the mast cells in the subepithelial and deeper areas were formalin resistant in all diseases.These results suggest that conditions for mast cell growth differ between polyps and the other diseases, and that the conditions which affect mast cells may contribute to polyp development.

Novel finding of high density of activated mast cells in endometrial polyps

“…Taken in conjunction with the previous reports of mast cells in nasal and colonic polyp (12,13), this unexpected but consistent observation in EP suggests that aMC may play important roles in general polyp biology in many…”

“…In an animal model, estrogen appeared to enhance the release of histamine from mast cells in the preimplantation phase (11). Of particular interest is a report that activated mast cells were found to be increased fourfold in nasal polyps and it was speculated that they may have a role in polyp growth (12). In addition, it has been reported that there is increased infiltration of mast cells in intestinal adenomatous polyps and it may be that mast cells are involved in the development of colon polyps (13).…”

“…Menstrual cycle dating of the endometrium was undertaken by experienced gynecologic pathologists at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (Sydney, Australia) using standard criteria. All phases of the cycle were represented in both groups: menstrual (days 1-7 of the cycle), proliferative (days [8][9][10][11][12][13][14], and secretory (days 15-28) of a normalized 28-day cycle. Polyps have been identified by the presence of a regularly irregular distribution and variable admixture of endometrial glands (sometimes cystic) and stroma covered with a thin layer of epithelium.…”

The Inferior Turbinate Mast Cell Population of Patients with Perennial Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis

“…4 reported that the number of mast cells in the epithelium of nasal polyps and the adjacent inferior turbinate mucosa was elevated compared with normal controls and that the increased number was not allergy dependent. Likewise, Otsuka et al 16 found increased numbers of mast cells in nasal polyps of atopic as well as of nonatopic patients and showed no difference in number among them. The results of the present study are in keeping with Ruhno et a1.…”

Modulation of TNF and GM-CSF Release from Dispersed Human Nasal Polyp Cells and Human Whole Blood by Inhibitors of Different PDE Isoenzymes and Glucocorticoids

“…13,14 the different cell populations, thereby providing a GM-CSF is a cytokine of the glycoprotein family suitable model to study the pharmacologic action of and acts as a potent growth factor both in vitro and anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic drugs. [32][33][34][35] in vivo, stimulating proliferation and maturation of myeloid progenitor cells, giving rise to neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytes and monocytes. 15,16 GM-CSF MATERIALS AND METHODS also activates the corresponding mature cells.…”