Increased numbers of activated mast cells in endometriosis lesions positive for corticotropin-releasing hormone and urocortin.
OBJECTIVE
Mast cells are critical in allergic and inflammatory diseases such as interstitial cystitis, which is often clinically associated with or mistaken as endometriosis. Mast cells had previously been reported to be increased at sites of endometriosis, and tryptase may contribute to the fibrosis and inflammation characterizing endometriosis.


METHODS
This is a pilot study of mast cell numbers and its activation in endometriosis biopsies (n = 10) by immunostaining for mast cell tryptase, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortin (Ucn).


RESULTS
This is the first report that tryptase positive mast cells were not only increased (64-157 mast cells/mm(2)) in human endometriosis, but also highly activated (89%) in areas strongly stained positive for CRH/Ucn. Normal endometrium was weakly positive for both CRH/Ucn.


CONCLUSIONS
High numbers of activated mast cells are present in endometriosis sites that were strongly positive for CRH/Ucn. CRH and Ucn may activate mast cells and contribute to the fibrosis and inflammation in endometriosis.
Kempuraj
Duraisamy
D
Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Papadopoulou
Nikoletta
N
Stanford
Edward J
EJ
Christodoulou
Spyridon
S
Madhappan
Bhuvaneshwari
B
Sant
Grannum R
GR
Solage
Kathleen
K
Adams
Tayrickia
T
Theoharides
Theoharis C
TC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D053802:Tryptases; D054832:Urocortins
D054832:Urocortins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D053802:Tryptases