Fixation with Carnoy's fluid reduces the number of chymase-positive mast cells: not all chymase-positive mast cells are also positive for tryptase.
Mast cells in the nasal mucosa can be studied by means of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against tryptase (T+MC) and chymase (C+MC). Fixation with acetone gives more positive cells than does fixation with Carnoy's fluid. In frozen biopsy specimens of allergic nasal mucosa fixed with acetone, the number of T+MC equals that of C+MC. When fixed with Carnoy's fluid, however, the number of T+MC is larger than the number of C+MC. The decrease in both T+MC and C+MC resulting from fixation with Carnoy's fluid is time-related and depends on the type of mAb used. Carnoy fixation time gives a decrease in the number of C+MC within 1 min, whereas the number of T+MC decreases only after 10 min. Within 1 min, the number of C+MC decreases to a level where continued fixation no longer gives further decreases in the number of cells. Two populations of mast cells can be distinguished here: one sensitive and the other insensitive to Carnoy's fluid. When double-staining is used, fixation with acetone gives three populations of mast cells: one positive for tryptase (T+C-MC), another positive for tryptase and chymase (T+C+MC), and a third one positive for chymase (T-C+MC). These three populations were found in lymph node, spleen, thymus, dermis, lung parenchyma, small intestinal submucosa, and nasal mucosa.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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KleinJan
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Godthelp
H M
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Blom
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WJ
Fokkens
D019342:Acetic Acid; D000096:Acetone; D002452:Cell Count; D002725:Chloroform; D053818:Chymases; D000431:Ethanol; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D006109:Poaceae; D011058:Pollen; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D053802:Tryptases
C033474:Carnoy's solution; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D000096:Acetone; D000431:Ethanol; D002725:Chloroform; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C083294:chymase 2; D053818:Chymases; D053802:Tryptases; D019342:Acetic Acid