Abstract
Aims To identify the presence and geographical
distribution of mast cell (MC) subtypes: MCT (tryptase
positive–chymase negative) and MCTC (tryptase positive–
chymase positive) in bladder tissue.
Methods Bladder tissue was obtained from patients
with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis
(n=14) and normal histology from University Hospital
Southampton tissue bank. Sequential tissue slices were
immunohistochemically stained for MC subtypes using
anti-MC tryptase (for MCT and MCTC) and anti-MC
chymase (for MCTC). Stained sections were photographed,
and positively stained MCs were quantified using ImageJ.
Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and
individual paired t-tests.
Results There was a significant difference in the density
of MCs between each layer of the disease bladder, with
the greatest accumulation within the detrusor (p<0.001).
There was a significant increase in MCTC subtype in the
lamina (p=0.009) in painful bladder syndrome/interstitial
cystitis.
Conclusions Our results suggest that mastocytosis is
present within all layers of disease bladder, especially
the muscle layer. The varying increase in MC subtypes
in the lamina and mucosa may explain the variability in
painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis symptoms. A
high influx of MCTC in the mucosa of individuals who also
had ulceration noted within their diagnostic notes may
be of the Hunner’s ulcer subclassification. These findings
suggest a relationship between the pathogenesis of MC
subtypes and the clinical presentation of painful bladder
syndrome/interstitial cystitis. A cohort study would further
elucidate the diagnostic and/or therapeutic potential
of MCs in patients with painful bladder syndrome/
interstitial cystitis.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of Clinical Pathology |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 15 May 2018 |