Mast cell transcripts are increased within and outside multiple sclerosis lesions.
Few histological studies have reported an increased of mast cells (MCs) in the brain of MS patients; we have therefore investigated whether this accumulation is associated with disease activity. We assessed a large series of post-mortem white matter samples from MS patients (n=59, 20 patients) and controls (n=28, 28 subjects) for MC-specific markers, such as FcepsilonRI, tryptase and chymase, using quantitative RT-PCR. We have found in MS samples a concordant and significant increase in MC markers and have confirmed the presence of MCs by immunohistochemistry. The levels of MC-specific transcripts showed a positive correlation with the increased levels of two potent MC chemoattractants, namely CCL5 and stem cell factor. The inflammatory stage of MS lesions had only a modest influence on MC accumulation. Our data point to an important patient-specific effect with regards to MC accumulation in MS brain. These observations indirectly suggest the implication of MCs in the pathophysiology of MS in a subset of patients.
Couturier
Nicolas
N
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U563, Purpan Hospital, Place Dr Baylac, Toulouse 3100, France.
Zappulla
Jacques P
JP
Lauwers-Cances
Valérie
V
Uro-Coste
Emmanuelle
E
Delisle
Marie-Bernadette
MB
Clanet
Michel
M
Montagne
Lisette
L
Van der Valk
Paul
P
Bö
Lars
L
Liblau
Roland S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053802:Tryptases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D053802:Tryptases