Increased mast cell density in peritoneal endometriosis compared with eutopic endometrium with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
Factors regulating fibrosis in peritoneal endometriosis are poorly understood. We hypothesized that mast cell proteases may play a role in the process of fibrosis in peritoneal endometriosis. As the first step in examining the possible contribution of mast cells to fibrosis, we investigated their distribution in peritoneal endometriosis lesions according to their macroscopic appearance.


METHODS
Mast cells were identified by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody against mast cell tryptase on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. Mast cell density (mean mast cell count per 0.13 mm2 of stroma) was measured using a computerized image analysis system.


RESULTS
Mast cell density was significantly increased in black peritoneal lesions compared with red peritoneal lesions in endometriosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Mast cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of peritoneal endometriosis.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
S
S
Matsuzaki
M
M
Canis
C
C
Darcha
T
T
Fukaya
A
A
Yajima
M A
MA
Bruhat
D053818:Chymases; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis; D053802:Tryptases
D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C083294:chymase 2; D053818:Chymases; D053802:Tryptases