RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Distribution and degranulation of airway mast cells in normal and asthmatic subjects
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 879
OP 885
DO 10.1183/09031936.02.00275802
VO 19
IS 5
A1 N.G. Carroll
A1 S. Mutavdzic
A1 A.L. James
YR 2002
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/19/5/879.abstract
AB It was hypothesized that the distribution and activation of mast cells across the airway wall may reflect their function in asthma. The density of mast cells (intact and degranulated) within airway compartments in cartilaginous and membranous airways, obtained from autopsies on patients with fatal asthma, nonfatal asthma, and nonasthmatic control cases have been examined. In cartilaginous airways, the mean±se density of mast cells in control cases was 27±9 cells·mm−2. It was similar in nonfatal asthma (24±2 cells·mm−2) but reduced (p<0.05) in fatal asthma cases (16±2 cells·mm−2). In membranous airways, the density of mast cells in control cases was 155±21 cells·mm−2 and was higher (p<0.05) in cases of nonfatal (270±51 cells·mm−2) and fatal asthma (219±26 cells·mm−2). Mast-cell density was greatest on the smooth muscle and mucous glands in cartilaginous airways and on the smooth muscle and outer airway wall in membranous airways. The percentage of degranulated mast cells was higher (p<0.05) in cases of asthma, related to disease severity, and was higher in cartilaginous than membranous airways. Degranulation was greatest on the smooth muscle in fatal asthma cases. Mast-cell distribution and degranulation varies between cartilaginous and membranous airways and across the airway wall. Degranulation of mast cells is related to asthma severity. The increased degranulation in proximal airways may reflect stimulation via the inhaled route. This study was supported by the Asthma Foundation of Western Australia, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia.