Abstract
BackgroundMast cells (MC) are bone marrow derived haematopoetic cells playing a crucial role not only in immune response but also in the tumor microenvironment with protumorigenic and antitumorigenic functions. The role of MC in primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas with initial presentation in the skin, is largely unknown.ObjectiveTo gain more accurate information about presence, number, distribution and state of activation (degranulated vs. non-degranulated) of MC in CTCL variants and clinical stages.Materials and MethodsWe established a novel computer-aided tissue analysis method on digitized skin sections. Immunohistochemistry with an anti-MC tryptase antibody was performed on 34 biopsies of different CTCL subtypes and on control skin samples. An algorithm for the automatic detection of the epidermis and of cell density based CTCL areas was developed. Cells were stratified as being within the CTCL infiltrate, in P1 (a surrounding area 0–30 μm away from CTCL), or in P2 (30–60 μm away from CTCL) area.ResultsWe found high MC counts within CTCL infiltrates and P1 and a decreased MC number in the surrounding dermis P2. Higher MC numbers were found in MF compared to all other CTCL subgroups. Regarding different stages of MF, we found significantly higher mast cell counts in stages IA and IB than in stages IIA and IIB. Regarding MC densities, we found a higher density of MC in MF compared to all other CTCL subgroups. More MC were non-degranulated than degranulated.ConclusionHere for the first time an automated method for MC analysis on tissue sections and its use in CTCL is described. Eliminating error from investigator bias, the method allows for precise cell identification and counting. Our results provide new insights on MC distribution in CTCL reappraising their role in the pathophysiology of CTCL.
Highlights
Among the characteristics of cancer is its ability to recruit normal infiltrating and resident cells to generate a specific microenvironment fostering malignant growth.[1]One of these bystanders is the mast cell (MC) originally discovered by Paul Ehrlich more than 100 years ago and mainly known for its immunological effector function
We found high Mast cells (MC) counts within cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) infiltrates and P1 and a decreased MC number in the surrounding dermis P2
Mast Cells in Primary Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas paid a salary from TissueGnostics Gmbh
Summary
Mast cells (MC) are bone marrow derived haematopoetic cells playing a crucial role in immune response and in the tumor microenvironment with protumorigenic and antitumorigenic functions. The role of MC in primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas with initial presentation in the skin, is largely unknown
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