title: Correlation of Mast Cell Density With Angiogenic Cytokines in Patients With Active Multiple Myeloma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to estimate whether bone marrow mast cell density (MCD) in multiple myeloma (MM) correlates with circulating levels of various angiogenic factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 70 patients with newly diagnosed active MM, we measured MCD using immunohistochemical stain for tryptase and serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), angiopoietin 2 (ANGIOP-2), and angiogenin (ANG) with ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of MCD, ANGIOP-2, and ANG were significantly higher in MM patients compared with the control group. The MMP-9 level was higher in MM patients compared with the control group but without statistical significance. All values were increasing in parallel with clinical stages. Furthermore, MCD correlated positively with MMP-9, ANGIOP-2, and ANG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MCs participate in the angiogenic processes of MM, with complex implicated mechanisms. This interplay between MCs and the other participants favors angiogenesis and MM growth.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Rodanthi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vyzoukaki
authors.affiliation: Hematology Department, General Hospital of Chania, Chania, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsirakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Venizelion Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pappa
authors.affiliation: Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Androulakis
authors.affiliation: Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kokonozaki
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tzardi
authors.affiliation: Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece; Hematology Department, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece. Electronic address: alexandm@med.uoc.gr.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Alexandrakis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002452:Cell Count; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C046366:angiogenin; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: angiogenesis; cytokines; mast cells; multiple myeloma