Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-02T23:43:39.874Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The effects of different fixations on the distribution and numbers of mast cells in patients with nasal polyps

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

A. B. Drake-Lee*
Affiliation:
Honorary Senior Lecturer in Rhinology, The Institute of Laryngology and Otology, Grays Inn Road, London.
E. Chevreton
Affiliation:
Lecturer in Otorhinolaryngology, The London Hospital.
D. Lowe
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Community Medicine, King's College Hospital, London.
*
A. Drake-Lee, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TH.

Abstract

Mast cells in rats have been categorized into mucosal and connective tissue mast cells by properties which include their fixation characteristics and their distribution in tissues. There are a number of factors which make his classification unsatisfactory including the variability of fixation, intensity of background staining and the application of animal studies to man. Seasonal allergic reactions in the nose of man occur both in the surface metachromatic cells and in those within the epithelium; the latter are presumed to be mucosal mast cells. The aim of this study was to look at the distribution and the fixation characteristics of mast cells in inferior tubinates and nasal polyps. Both techniques show that cells are more abundant in the submucosa and the fact that Carnoy's fixative shows them better and this may be due to the lack of intensity in the background staining. There is no evidence that mast cells are more frequent in the epithelium. These findings would suggest the nasal polyps are not an allergic disease.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Cauna, N., Hindover, K., Manzethi, G. and Swanson, E. (1972) Fine structure of nasal polyps. Annals of Otolaryngology 81: 4158.Google ScholarPubMed
Combs, J., Lagunoff, D. and Denditt, E. (1965) Differentiation and proliferation of embryonic mast cells of the rat. Journal of Cell Biology, 25: 577592.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Drake-Lee, A., Barker, T. and Thurley, K. (1984a) Nasal polyps II. Fine structure of mast cells. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 98: 285292.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Drake-Lee, A., Bickerton, R. and McLaughlin, P. (1984b) Free histamine in polyp fluid. Rhinology, 22: 133138.Google ScholarPubMed
Drake-Lee, A., Price, J., Milford, C. and Bickerton, R. (1987) The ultrastructure of nasal mast cells: a preliminary report. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, suppl 13.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Enerback, L., Pipkorn, U. and Granurus, G. (1986) Intraepithelial migration of nasal mucosal mast cells in hay fever. International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology, 80: 4451.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ehrlich, P. (1879) Beitrage zur kenntnis der granulitzen bind-egewebs zellen und der eosinphilen leakocyten. Archives of Anatomy und Physiology (Leipzig), 3; 166169.Google Scholar
Li, C., Lam, K. and Yam, L. (1973) Esterases in human leukocytes. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 21: 112.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Michels, N. (1938) The mast cells: in Handbook of Hematology. Ed. Downey, H.Hamish Hamilton Medical Books. London. 232372.Google Scholar
Okuda, M., Ohtsuka, H. and Kawabori, S. (1983) Basophil leukocytes and mast cells in the nose. European Journal of Respiratory Diseases. 64-suppl 128: 714.Google ScholarPubMed
Strobel, S., Miller, H. and Ferguson, A. (1981) Human intestinal mast cells: evaluation of fixation and staining techniques. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 34: 851858.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Viegas, M., Gomes, E., Brooks, J., Gatland, D. and Davies, R. (1987) Effect of the pollen season on nasal mast cells. British Medical Journal, 294: 414.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wingren, U. and Enerback, L. (1983) Mucosal mast cells of the rat interstine: a re-evaluation of fixation and staining properties, with special reference to protein blocking and solibility of the granular glycosamine. Journal of Histochemistry, 15: 571582.CrossRefGoogle Scholar