Histomorphometric analysis of mast cells in different regions of human intracranial dura mater

Emanuela Paz Rosas,Marcelo Moraes Valença,Silvania Tavares Paz,Ana Clara De Souza Neta,Raisa Ferreira Costa,Manuela Figueiroa Lyra De Freitas,Ana Paula Fernandes Da Silva

doi:10.48208/headachemed.2019.16

Abstract

Objective: To analyze mast cell histomorphometry in three different regions of the human intracranial dura mater. Method: Three specimens of dura mater were collected after approval by the Ethics Committee (CAAE No. 57692216.5.0000.5208). Each dura mater was obtained from human cadavers between 7 and 24 hours after death. After collection, the samples were fixed, cut into two fragments and longitudinally placed in the following way: external (periosteum) and internal (meningeal) sides. The fragments (1.5 cm2) were taken from three different regions: proximity of the right middle meningeal artery, the proximity of the left middle meningeal artery and superior sagittal sinus. These fragments were submitted to microtomy (10 μm), stained with 0.1% toluidineblue and analyzed by optical microscopy. The histomorphometric parameters adopted were: the distance from the mast cells to the vessels, the number and if the mast cells were degranulated. Five fields from each case were analyzed. For this analysis, the Image J 1.52a 2019 software was used. Results: A higher number of mast cells was observed in the periosteal layer when compared withthe meningeal layer (p=0.026). When the distribution of the mast cells was evaluated, we observed that the cells were localized in the proximity of the middle meningeal artery (p<0.05). Conclusion: In human dura mater, the mast cells are localized in the proximity of dural arteries.

Highlights

Recent evidence strongly suggests a vital role of dura mater mast cell in the genesis of migraine.[1,2,3,4,5]Gupta and Harvima described the mast cells as a “powerhouse” since they release “algogenic and pruritogenic mediators, which initiate a reciprocal communication with specific nociceptors on sensory nerve fibers.”[6]Mast cells are cells found in abundance in the dura mater and by local mechanism regulates vascular and neural functions, releasing substances such as histamine
Scientific evidence suggests that mast cells participate in the pathophysiology of triggering a migraine attack by inducing local sterile inflammation near the dura mater nociceptors
When the distribution of the mast cells was evaluated, we observed that the cells were localized in the proximity of the middle meningeal artery (Figure 1), suggesting that there is a significant role played by the mast cells in dura mater to regulate vascular function

Summary

Introduction

Recent evidence strongly suggests a vital role of dura mater mast cell in the genesis of migraine.[1,2,3,4,5]Gupta and Harvima described the mast cells as a “powerhouse” since they release “algogenic and pruritogenic mediators, which initiate a reciprocal communication with specific nociceptors on sensory nerve fibers.”[6]Mast cells are cells found in abundance in the dura mater and by local mechanism regulates vascular and neural functions, releasing substances such as histamine. Objetivo: Analisar a histomorfometria dos mastócitos em três regiões diferentes da dura-máter intracraniana humana. Método: Três amostras de dura-máter foram coletadas após aprovação pelo Comitê de Ética (CAAE no 57692216.5.0000.5208). Cada dura-máter foi obtida de cadáveres humanos entre 7 e 24 horas após a morte.

Results

Conclusion