[The role of mast cells in myocardial fibrosis in SHRsp].
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of mast cells in hypertensive myocardial fibrosis.


METHODS
The myocardial collagen and the degree of myocardial fibrosis were assessed using Masson's trichrome staining and image analysis plus toluidine blue as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining and transmission electronic microscopy for SHRsp, aged 34 weeks (S group, n = 6). Besides, age and sex-matched WKY (W group, n = 5) were used as the controls.


RESULTS
MC count increased 3.9 folds and PCNA immunostaining positive cells (PCNAP) increased 3.9 fold (both P < 0.0001) in S vs W group. MC were positively correlated with the interstitial collagen volume fraction (ICVF), perivascular collagen area/vascular lumenal cross area (PVCA/VLCA), and PCNAP (r = 0.47, P < 0.05; 0.59, P < 0.001; 0.68, P < 0.001 respectively). Electromicroscopy showed specific piecemeal degranulation of the mast cells, locating between the praliferative interstitial collagen fibers.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggested that MCs play a role in certain degree to the myocardial fibrosis present in SHRsp.
China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029.
M
M
Wang
T
T
Wang
L
L
Liu
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D005355:Fibrosis; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY