TY - JOUR
T1 - Morphological and quantitative assessment of mast cells in rheumatoid arthritis associated non-specific interstitial pneumonia and usual interstitial pneumonia
AU - Atkins, S. R.
AU - Matteson, E. L.
AU - Myers, J. L.
AU - Ryu, J. H.
AU - Bongartz, T.
PY - 2006/5
Y1 - 2006/5
N2 - Background: The role of mast cells in extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been studied so far. Objective: To characterise and quantify mast cells in RA associated interstitial pneumonia (IP) by an immunohistological study. Methods: Lung biopsy specimens from 15 patients with RA associated IP, 12 patients with idiopathic IP, and 5 control patients were stained with antibodies directed against tryptase (mast cell marker). Morphological characterisation of stained specimens was carried out and staining was quantified by computer assisted image analysis. Results: Tryptase staining showed the marked presence of mast cells in idiopathic IP and in RA associated IP. A significant difference in stained tissue area was found between RA associated IP (2.0%, IQR 2.0-3.2%, p = 0.015) and idiopathic IP (3.1%, IQR 1.8-3.7%, p = 0.003) compared with control tissue specimens (1.0%, IQR 0.7-1.5%). The extent of mast cell infiltration correlated well and inversely with pulmonary function variables. Conclusions: Mast cell infiltrates are present in RA associated IP and idiopathic IP. The observed correlation of pulmonary function and mast cell numbers would be consistent with the proposed role of mast cell mediators in the promotion of fibrogenesis. The findings provide a rationale for studying functional aspects of mast cell involvement in the pathogenesis of RA associated lung disease.
AB - Background: The role of mast cells in extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been studied so far. Objective: To characterise and quantify mast cells in RA associated interstitial pneumonia (IP) by an immunohistological study. Methods: Lung biopsy specimens from 15 patients with RA associated IP, 12 patients with idiopathic IP, and 5 control patients were stained with antibodies directed against tryptase (mast cell marker). Morphological characterisation of stained specimens was carried out and staining was quantified by computer assisted image analysis. Results: Tryptase staining showed the marked presence of mast cells in idiopathic IP and in RA associated IP. A significant difference in stained tissue area was found between RA associated IP (2.0%, IQR 2.0-3.2%, p = 0.015) and idiopathic IP (3.1%, IQR 1.8-3.7%, p = 0.003) compared with control tissue specimens (1.0%, IQR 0.7-1.5%). The extent of mast cell infiltration correlated well and inversely with pulmonary function variables. Conclusions: Mast cell infiltrates are present in RA associated IP and idiopathic IP. The observed correlation of pulmonary function and mast cell numbers would be consistent with the proposed role of mast cell mediators in the promotion of fibrogenesis. The findings provide a rationale for studying functional aspects of mast cell involvement in the pathogenesis of RA associated lung disease.
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U2 - 10.1136/ard.2005.043877
DO - 10.1136/ard.2005.043877
M3 - Article
C2 - 16611865
AN - SCOPUS:33646256151
SN - 0003-4967
VL - 65
SP - 677
EP - 680
JO - Annals of the rheumatic diseases
JF - Annals of the rheumatic diseases
IS - 5
ER -