Temporal distribution of distinct mast cell phenotypes during intestinal schistosomiasis in mice

Abstract

Mastocytosis is a common feature of helminth infection in most host species. We examined the temporal distribution and phenotype of mast cells during intestinal schistosomiasis in mice, using antibodies directed against histamine, a general mast cell marker, against mouse mast cell protease-1 (MMCP-1), a mucosal mast cell (MMC) marker, and against tryptase, a predominantly connective tissue mast cell (CTMC) marker. Ileal paraffin and/or cryosections of control, 8- and 15-week-infected mice were quantitatively analysed. In the intestinal wall of non- and unisexual infected mice, a few dispersed mast cells were detected. In infected mice, a transient increase of mast cells in the mucosa and a gradual increase in the outer muscle layer were observed. MMCP-1 expressing MMCs were predominantly present in the mucosa during the acute phase [8 weeks postinfection (p.i.)], while tryptase and histamine immunoreactivity demonstrated that two subsets of CTMCs were predominantly present in the outer muscle layer at 15 weeks p.i. (chronic phase). In conclusion, these results reveal that, in mice, both MMCs and CTMCs are involved in the inflammatory response during schistosomiasis. The recruitment of each mast cell population is time-dependent and occurs at different locations. These data suggest that mastocytosis is associated with motility-related gastrointestinal symptoms and egg excretion.

Effect of intestinal inflammation on capsaicin-sensitive afferents in the ileum of Schistosoma mansoni -infected mice

“…These observations were similar to those previously described De Jonge et al 2002;Van Nassauw et al 2001).…”

“…In the intestine, mast cells and sensory nerve fibers are the main components of the neuroimmune interaction, forming an axon reflex pathway which is involved in tissue defense against injury and noxious stimuli (Bienenstock et al 1989a(Bienenstock et al , b, 2001Williams et al 1995Williams et al , 1997. In our experimental model, we observed not only an upregulation of the number of CGRP-ir nerves in the lamina propria of the villi, but also an upregulation of mMCP-I-ir mucosal mast cells in the mucosa of infected animals (De Jonge et al 2002). Double immunostaining (detecting mMCP-I and CGRP) revealed that many of these mucosal mast cells were in close apposition to dense CGRP-ir nerve fibers, which clearly increased in density during the acute and chronic phases of infection.…”

“…Mast cell number and density (number of mast cells/mm 2 ) were determined as previously described (De Jonge et al 2002). Briefly, using a computerized stereological system (CAST-grid; Olympus, Albertslund, Denmark), a point grid and a counting field were superimposed on the image obtained with a 40 objective magnification.…”

“…Intestinal schistosomiasis is accompanied by a mastocytosis (Miller et al 1994;De Jonge et al 2002), which is characterized by a temporal distribution of distinct mast cell phenotypes. In the mucosal layer, a transient increase in mucosal mast cells is observed, with a peak value at 8 weeks postinfection (p.i.…”

Effects of glycinin on IgE-mediated increase of mast cell numbers and histamine release in the small intestine

“…Mast cells are located in the gut mucosa and submucosa to function in intestinal peristalsis, inflammatory process and related immune responses [19][20][21]. Many studies involving food allergies suggest that mast cells are prominent in the development of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity through an excessive release of large amounts of inflammatory factors, including histamine and some cytokines after activation and degranulation [22].…”