Increased mast cell numbers in human patellar tendinosis: correlation with symptom duration and vascular hyperplasia.
OBJECTIVE
The cellular basis of painful tendon overuse pathology (tendinosis) is poorly understood. It has been suggested that because of the close anatomical associations between mast cells and vessels in connective tissues, mast cells may mediate the development of tendon hypervascularity or oedema.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the distribution of mast cells in men and women with patellar tendinopathy.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Tendinopathic tissue was collected at open debridement of the patellar tendon and a control tendon from patients undergoing intramedullary nailing of the tibia. The tendon was assessed immunohistochemically by evaluating the distribution of mast cells (AA1), and markers for T lymphocytes (CD3) and macrophages (CD68). The vessel-area fraction was quantified using computer-assisted digital image analysis.


RESULTS
The prevalence of mast cells per mm(2) (mean 3.3 (SD 3.0)) was greater in tendinosis tissue than in controls (1.1 (1.5); p = 0.036). In patients with tendinosis, mast cell density was moderately correlated with the vessel-area fraction (r(2) = 0.49) and with symptom duration (r(2) = 0.52).


CONCLUSIONS
Mast-cell prevalence in patellar tendinopathy was increased and was predominantly associated with vascular hyperplasia, particularly in patients with longstanding symptoms. Future research should investigate whether mast cells play direct or indirect modulatory roles in the development and progression of human tendinosis.
Scott
A
A
Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Lian
Ø
Ø
Bahr
R
R
Hart
D A
DA
Duronio
V
V
Khan
K M
KM
D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000473:pathology*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000473:pathology*