title: The distribution of mast cells in the human area postrema.
abstract: The topography and phenotype of mast cells in the human area postrema, together with correlation between mast-cell density and microvessel density (MVD), were analysed in 16 brains. Transverse serial sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brainstems were stained with toluidine blue and alcian blue/safranin stainings, and with anti-tryptase and anti-CD31 monoclonal antibodies. The mean (+/- SD) numbers of mast cells per section were 1.3 +/- 0.8 and 1.2 +/- 0.7 with toluidine blue and alcian blue/safranin, respectively, whereas anti-tryptase monoclonal antibody showed a mean of 5.1 +/- 2.4 cells. Mast cells were alcian blue- and safranin-positive in 56%, because of the coexistence of low-sulphated (blue-staining) and high-sulphated (red-staining) granules. No significant linear correlation between mast-cell density (4.9 mm(-2)) and MVD (114.5 mm(-2)) was found (r(2) = 0.19, P = 0.09). Mast cells were frequently located close to blood vessels (55%) (33% to venules, 22% to arterioles), indicating that their products play a role in the regulation of blood flow and in vessel permeability in the area postrema. Mast cells were located subependymally in 44% and close to the dorsal aspect of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius in 31%, suggesting a subregional distribution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Porzionato
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Macchi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parenti
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Caro
mesh_terms: D000423:Alcian Blue; D031608:Area Postrema / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology*; D001160:Arterioles; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010619:Phenazines; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D014699:Venules
chemical_list: D010619:Phenazines; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D000423:Alcian Blue; C009195:safranine T