Quantitative analysis of tryptase- and chymase-containing mast cells in eosinophilic conditions of cats.
The presence and density of tryptase-positive/chymase-positive mast cells (MCs) (MC(TC)), chymase-positive/tryptase-negative MCs (MCC), and tryptase-positive/chymase-negative MCs (MC(T)) in lesional skin from cats with eosinophilic conditions were investigated. Skin biopsy specimens from eight cats with eosinophilic plaque (three cats), eosinophilic granuloma (two cats), and eosinophilic dermatitis (three cats) were studied. Toluidine blue staining and a double-enzyme-immunohistochemical staining technique were performed to determine MC density and MC subtypes, respectively. MC density varied from 170.3 to 503 cells/mm2 (mean value of 314.9 cells/mm2). In the superficial dermis, 5.9% of the MC belonged to the MC(T), 12.8% to the MC(C), and 81.2% to the MC(TC) subtype. In the deep dermis, 12.8% belonged to the MC(T), 12.8% to the MC(C), and 73.8% to the MC(TC) subtype. It is the first time that MC(C) have been identified. The double-labeling procedure proved to be a reliable tool for identifying simultaneously the presence of MC subtypes in feline skin.
Noli
C
C
Department of Animal Pathology, Viale delle Piagge, 2, I-56124 Pisa, Italy.
Welle
M
M
Scarampella
F
F
Abramo
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D053818:Chymases; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014048:Tolonium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D053802:Tryptases
D004396:Coloring Agents; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053818:Chymases; D053802:Tryptases