Low mast cell density in the human duodenal mucosa from chronic inflammatory duodenal bowel disorders is associated with defective villous architecture.
BACKGROUND
Mast cells (MC) have recently been implicated in the processes of tissue homeostasis, remodeling and repair.


METHODS
In this study, the total and tryptase-reactive mast cell populations were quantified in the duodenal mucosa of 27 subjects suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disorders. Mast cell density was both related to the general villous architecture (normal or defective) and to the microvascular density in the duodenal mucosa.


RESULTS
Total mast cell and tryptase-positive mast cell subpopulation densities were found to be significantly reduced in the samples with defective villous architecture in comparison with those exhibiting a normal villous profile. In these last samples, a relevant proportion of mucosal mast cells exhibited ultrastructural features of secretory activity, in particular piecemeal degranulation. Finally, no correlation was established between microvascular density and tryptase activity, as it has been previously demonstrated in other pathological conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, these findings indicate a significant correlation between mast cell density and the duodenal mucosal architecture.
Crivellato
E
E
Department of Medical and Morphological Researches, Section of Anatomy, University of Udine Medical School, P. le Kolbe n.3, I-33100 Udine, Italy. enrico.crivellato@drmm.uniud.it
Finato
N
N
Isola
M
M
Ribatti
D
D
Beltrami
C A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis; D053802:Tryptases
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053802:Tryptases