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- Title
BRIEF COMMUNICATION The distribution of mast cells in the human area postrema.
- Authors
Porzionato, Andrea; Macchi, Veronica; Parenti, Anna; De Caro, Raffaele
- Abstract
The topography and phenotype of mast cells in the human area postrema, together with correlation between mast-cell density and microvessel density (MVD), were analysed in 16 brains. Transverse serial sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brainstems were stained with toluidine blue and alcian blue/safranin stainings, and with anti-tryptase and anti-CD31 monoclonal antibodies. The mean (± SD) numbers of mast cells per section were 1.3 ± 0.8 and 1.2 ± 0.7 with toluidine blue and alcian blue/safranin, respectively, whereas anti-tryptase monoclonal antibody showed a mean of 5.1 ± 2.4 cells. Mast cells were alcian blue- and safranin-positive in 56%, because of the coexistence of low-sulphated (blue-staining) and high-sulphated (red-staining) granules. No significant linear correlation between mast-cell density (4.9 mm−2) and MVD (114.5 mm−2) was found ( r2 = 0.19, P = 0.09). Mast cells were frequently located close to blood vessels (55%) (33% to venules, 22% to arterioles), indicating that their products play a role in the regulation of blood flow and in vessel permeability in the area postrema. Mast cells were located subependymally in 44% and close to the dorsal aspect of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius in 31%, suggesting a subregional distribution.
- Subjects
MAST cells; BRAIN stem; PHENOTYPES; TOMOGRAPHY; MONOCLONAL antibodies; STEM cells
- Publication
Journal of Anatomy, 2004, Vol 204, Issue 2, p141
- ISSN
0021-8782
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1469-7580.2004.00256.x