Increased numbers of activated mast cells in endometriosis lesions positive for corticotropin-releasing hormone and urocortin
Duraisamy Kempuraj, NikolettaPapadopoulou, Edward J.Stanford, Spyridon Christodoulou,Bhuvaneshwari Madhappan,Grannum R. Sant, KathleenSolage, Tayrickia Adams,
Theoharis C. Theoharides
Am J Reprod Immunol 2004;52: 267-275.
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‘, ‘PROBLEM: Mast cells are critical in allergic and inflammatorydiseases such as interstitial cystitis, which is often clinically associatedwith or mistaken as endometriosis. Mast cells had previously beenreported to be increased at sites of endometriosis, and tryptase maycontribute to the fibrosis and inflammation characterizingendometriosis.
METHOD OF STUDY: This is a pilot study of mast cell numbers andits activation in endometriosis biopsies (n ¼ 10) by immunostaining formast cell tryptase, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) andurocortin (Ucn).
RESULTS: This is the first report that tryptase positive mast cells werenot only increased (64–157 mast cells/mm2) in human endometriosis,but also highly activated (89%) in areas strongly stained positive forCRH/Ucn. Normal endometrium was weakly positive for both CRH/Ucn.
CONCLUSION: High numbers of activated mast cells are present inendometriosis sites that were strongly positive for CRH/Ucn. CRHand Ucn may activate mast cells and contribute to the fibrosis andinflammation in endometriosis.’, ‘Full Article in PDF Version for Download‘, ‘Research from Dr. Theoharides