Mast cells of the bovine trachea: staining characteristics, dispersion techniques and response to secretagogues.

Sections of the lower trachea of cattle, fixed in either Carnoy''s or formalin, were stained with toluidine blue, alcian blue, or alcian blue and safranin O to study the mast cell population. After toluidine blue staining, about twice as many cells in tissue fixed in Carnoy''s contained dark blue granules compared with tissue fixed in formalin. In addition, for the first time in cattle, a population of cells containing red granules was identified after staining with alcian blue and safranin O. Most of these red granules were formalin sensitive. An enzymatic dispersal technique for mast cells is described that yielded 9.4+/-0.4% mast cells (percentage of nucleated cells) with a viability of 92.3+/-0.6%. Spontaneous histamine release was 3.3+/-0.8%. Dispersed mast cells were challenged with various immunological and nonimmunological secretagogues. The calcium ionophores, A23187, ionomyocin, and BrX537A, were effective in releasing up to 94% of histamine in mast cells in a dose-response relationship. Pasteurella haemolytica culture supernate caused about 10% histamine release at a dose of 0.5 mg/mL after correction for spontaneous release. The average histamine content of the mast cells was 6.6+/-1.0 pg/cell. Cytospins of dispersed cells fixed in Carnoy''s and stained with alcian blue and safranin O contained mast cells with blue and red granules, and a few cells with a mixture of both granule types. Based on the effects of type of fixation, staining characteristics and histamine content, a mix of subtypes of mast cells is present in the bovine trachea. However, functionally they respond to secretagogues differently than rodent mast cells. Without an immunological secretagogue, studies to determine compounds that will be effective in blocking mast cell degranulation will be limited.     

The distribution and heterogeneity of mast cells in tongue from five different avian species

This study was conducted with the aim of determining the morphology, distribution and heterogeneity of mast cells in the tongues of seagull (Larus fuscus), common buzzard (Buteo buteo), goose (Anser anser), white stork (Ciconia ciconia) and Gerze rooster. The study used five samples of tongue material from each of the healthy adult avian species. The samples were fixed in 10% neutral‐buffered formalin (NBF) solution, then, after routine tissue follow‐up, the samples blocked with paraplast. Cross‐sections with 5–6 μm of thickness were stained with the 0.5% toluidine blue and alcian blue/safranin O (AB/SO). In all five avian species, it was found that the mast cells were in different sizes and round, oval or spindle‐shaped based on their place of distribution. Mast cell numbers were determined in stained with toluidine blue, examined ×40 objectives in a 1 mm² area. It was observed that mast cell density in subepithelial lamina propria and microscopic papilla was higher in the tongues of all species. Mast cell distribution and heterogeneity varied through the tongue, and there were more mast cells in the dorsal side of the tongue than the ventral side. The highest amount of mast cells was found in the tongue of the Gerze rooster among all five species. In the tongue cross‐sections stained with the combined method of alcian blue/safranin O (AB/SO), the mast cells were stained as AB (+), SO (+) and AB/SO (+) (mixed).     

奶牛乳腺肥大细胞免疫形态学的增龄性变化

应用改良甲苯胺蓝染色法研究不同年龄奶牛乳腺肥大细胞分布特点的增龄性变化，并用Alcian bluc-safranin染色法对肥大细胞进行细胞化学分型研究。结果：青年奶牛乳腺中肥大细胞数量较少，中年奶牛乳腺中肥大细胞的数量增多，有趣的是，老年奶牛乳腺肥大的数量更多，AB-S染色显示，各年龄奶牛乳腺中只有黏膜型肥大细胞。结果表明：奶牛乳腺肥大细胞数量具有随年龄增长而增加的特点，但肥大细胞的类型没有发生改变。     

日粮中缺硒对鸡空肠肥大细胞组织化学和超微结构的影响

为探讨硒缺乏对鸡空肠中肥大细胞(MC)的形态学和超微结构的影响,将10只鸡随机分成低硒试验组(饲喂低硒日粮0.032 mg/kg)和正常对照组,在75日龄时断头处死立即取出空肠,进行甲苯胺蓝、长时间甲苯胺蓝、阿利新蓝-藏花红染色、阿利新蓝-高碘雪夫氏反应和醛品红-阿利新蓝5种染色并进行透射电镜观察。结果显示,采用不同染色方法所获得的MC数量、大小、形态、颜色及颗粒的黏多糖成分均不相同。电镜下,MC细胞胞浆内充盈大量的特征性颗粒,颗粒内容物呈均质状,电子密度高低不等,核圆形或椭圆形,胞质中可见高尔基复合体和较多的线粒体;试验组可见MC数量显著增加并与变性细胞紧密相邻,异染色质增多,核偏位或固缩,胞质稀疏,同时可见MC内颗粒内容物释放后的空隙或空泡。因此,组化染色提示肥大细胞存在不同亚型;试验组MC数量明显增加,这提示MC是重要的免疫细胞之一,在机体的免疫调节中发挥着重要的作用。     

日粮中缺硒对鸡空肠肥大细胞组织化学和超微结构的影响

为探讨硒缺乏对鸡空肠中肥大细胞(MC)的形态学和超微结构的影响,将10只鸡随机分成低硒试验组(饲喂低硒日粮0.032 mg/kg)和正常对照组,在75日龄时断头处死立即取出空肠,进行甲苯胺蓝、长时间甲苯胺蓝、阿利新蓝-藏花红染色、阿利新蓝-高碘雪夫氏反应和醛品红-阿利新蓝5种染色并进行透射电镜观察.结果显示,采用不同染色方法所获得的MC数量、大小、形态、颜色及颗粒的黏多糖成分均不相同.电镜下,MC细胞胞浆内充盈大量的特征性颗粒,颗粒内容物呈均质状,电子密度高低不等,核圆形或椭圆形,胞质中可见高尔基复合体和较多的线粒体;试验组可见MC数量显著增加并与变性细胞紧密相邻,异染色质增多,核偏位或固缩,胞质稀疏,同时可见MC内颗粒内容物释放后的空隙或空泡.因此,组化染色提示肥大细胞存在不同亚型;试验组MC数量明显增加,这提示MC是重要的免疫细胞之一,在机体的免疫调节中发挥着重要的作用.     

大鼠乳腺局部免疫的调节机制--泌乳期与静止期乳腺肥大细胞分布的比较

应用改良甲苯胺蓝染色法(MTB)观察了大鼠泌乳期和静止期乳腺肥大细胞的分布、形态、数量变化规律．并用阿尔新蓝一番红鉴别染色法(AB-S)进行了细胞化学分型研究。结果：AB-S染色显示，大鼠乳腺只存在黏膜型肥大细胞；无论是泌乳期还是静止期。乳腺肥大细胞大多分布于腺泡间和小叶问结缔组织中。细胞的形态各异，但细胞数量在静止期和泌乳期有显著差异。泌乳期的乳腺肥大细胞数量明显减少(P＜0．01)。乳腺肥大细胞的动态变化，可能与乳腺泌乳期腺泡上皮的生长和静止期腺泡问结缔组织细胞增生等结构变化有关。     

二乙基己烯雌酚对成年仓鼠附睾肥大细胞数量分布的影响

成年雄性仓鼠经皮下连续注射二乙基己烯雌酚(DES)7 d后,用改良甲苯胺蓝染色法(MTB)和阿尔新蓝番红染色法(AB S)研究DES对附睾肥大细胞的形态大小、类型和数量分布的影响。结果表明:仓鼠附睾肥大细胞为结缔组织型肥大细胞,多分布于附睾头与附睾尾的被膜和间质中。试验组的肥大细胞常见于附睾管近旁,多呈脱颗粒状。虽然试验组与对照组的肥大细胞大小相近,但试验组的肥大细胞数量增多,尤其是附睾尾间质中肥大细胞增加明显(P<0.01)。     

Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour: Asessment of Mast Cell Numbers as Indicators of the Growth Phase

Mast cells are immune cells that are involved mainly in type 1 hypersensitivity reactions, and they have been implicated in tumour angiogenesis. In this study we assessed the presence of mast cell numbers and microvessel density during the progression and regression stages of natural spontaneous canine transmissible venereal tumours (CTVT). Mast cells were demonstrated by histochemical staining with toluidine blue, alcian blue and safranin O. Microvessel counts were demonstrated by immunohistochemical labelling with an antibody against the endothelial cell marker factor VIII. Mitotic cells, apoptotic cells and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes were counted from haematoxylin–eosin-stained sections. Tumour fibrosis was evaluated on Masson's trichome-stained sections. The results showed that progressing tumours had significantly higher mast cell counts and microvessel counts at the invasive edges of the tumours than did regressing tumours. In both the progressing and regressing tumours, microvessel counts were significantly positively correlated with mast cell counts. Regressing tumours had significantly higher mast cell counts of the whole tumour than progressing tumours. The results also showed that progressing tumours had significantly higher mitotic rate than regressing tumours, and fibrosis and apoptosis were significantly higher in regressing tumours than progressing tumours. There were no significant differences between the biochemical and haematological values of dogs with progressing and regressing tumours. These results suggests that mast cells play a role in CTVT progression probably by promoting vascularization at the invasion front during the progression phase, and that mast cell count could be used as one of the histological factors to indicate growth stage of CTVT.     

Morphological and immunocytochemical investigations on mast cells in porcine ureter

Morphological, morphometric, histochemical and immunocytochemical investigations on mast cells, located in the wall of ureter of 8 months aged pigs were performed. Mast cells were found in all three layers of ureteral wall, but their distribution was irregular and the number unequal. It was established that alcian blue (AB)-positive mast cells were significantly more than toluidine blue (TB)-positive mast cells. A statistically significant smaller number of both AB and TB-stained mast cells were observed in the tunica mucosa. The largest number of mast cells was found in the tunica muscularis. In the adventitia, mast cells were higher in number in the main connective tissue than in the connective tissue near the blood vessels. Mast cells stained with TB showed variably expressed gamma-metachromasia, which was best visible in those situated in the lamina propria of the mucosa. The prevailing parts of mast cells, however, were AB-positive after AB-safranin staining. This was mostly found in mast cells of the tunica muscularis and in mast cells of perivascular location in the tunica adventitia. Immunocytochemically, mast cells were found to be positive for histamine and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the muscle coat, and to histamine in the adventitia, as well. On the basis of obtained results it was presumed that the mast cells in porcine ureter most probably took part not only in keeping of local homeostasis, but played also an important role of mobility of smooth muscle cells in the middle layer of ureter on one hand, and, on the other, in the adventitial blood vessels.     

Use of histochemical techniques in the characterisation of osteochondroses affecting pigs

Growth cartilages with dyschondroplastic foci (osteochondrosis) or areas of chondrolysis were selected from the ribs and bones of the appendicular skeleton of 132 commercial pigs euthanased between one and 169 days old or at a liveweight of 100 kg. Histochemical staining techniques that identified proteoglycans, collagen and deposits of calcium enhanced the visualisation of the lesions, were valuable for recognising the distribution of lesions, and helped to elucidate the development of the lesions. On the basis of the histochemical and morphological differences, it was considered that the lesions associated with growth plates and the lesions associated with articular-epiphyseal cartilage complexes should be considered as different entities. Lesions were identified in the articular-epiphyseal cartilage complexes of pigs at 15 days old, earlier than has been reported previously. Toluidine blue and safranin O were more useful than alcian blue and, in terms of staining intensity, toluidine blue gave more consistent results than safranin O.     

奶牛发育各期乳腺肥大细胞的组织化学特性研究

本研究旨在对奶牛乳腺肥大细胞的组织化学特点进行研究。对奶牛发育各期乳腺进行取样,应用改良甲苯胺蓝染色法(MTB)和阿尔新蓝—番红鉴别染色法（AB-S）进行染色,观察肥大细胞的组织化学特点和数量变化特点。同时比较了甲苯胺蓝染色时两种固定液固定对乳腺肥大细胞着染的效果。奶牛不同发育时期乳腺肥大细胞只被阿尔新蓝染色,Carnoy氏液固定效果优于中性甲醛（NBF）,MTB的染色效果优于AB-S。奶牛乳腺肥大细胞的数量在泌乳各期和静止期有显著的变化。与静止期相比,泌乳期的乳腺肥大细胞数量明显减少(P＜0.05),分娩后60 d奶牛乳腺肥大细胞的数量最少。奶牛乳腺只存在黏膜型肥大细胞;用Carnoy氏液固定,用MTB法染色可以很好地显示肥大细胞;泌乳期乳腺肥大细胞数量与静止期相比,明显减少。     

Mast cells in the salivary glands and tongue of the ferret: demonstration and some histochemical observations

Previous investigations failed to demonstrate mast cells in the alimentary tract and extraparietal glands of the ferret. It was decided therefore to test this and assess factors that may be of influence. Major salivary glands and tongues of mature ferrets, which had been fixed in formalin-calcium, were examined by means of light microscopical histochemistry. Staining of paraffin sections with techniques depending on basic dyes or esterolytic activity was carried out for conventional times with and without previous oxidation, hot acid hydrolysis, and trypsin and beta-glucuronidase digestion. Aldehyde fuchsin and high iron diamine consistently revealed the presence of few mast cells in interstitial stroma of salivary glands and lingual musculature, and in the lamina propria of lingual mucosa. Alcian blue at 0.5 M MgCl2 and safranin produced less consistent results, and even fewer metachromatic mast cells were detected. No staining of mast cells was obtained with the technique for naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase. Pretreatment did not increase the numbers and/or staining reactions of mast cells. The results refute the previous misconception and suggest that ferret is a species with a low incidence of mast cells largely expressing a connective-tissue phenotype.     

猪子宫大豆素(SBA)受体细胞和肥大细胞观察

本研究用HRP—SBA标记技术、甲苯胺染色法及甲苯胺蓝和HRP—SBA双重染色技术,观察了猪子宫大豆素(SBA)受体细胞和肥大细胞.发现SBA受体细胞和肥大细胞,形态相似,但两者在子宫壁内的分布和数量不同.双重染色证明,SBA受体细胞和肥大细胞是存在猪子宫内膜的不同细胞.     

剑白香猪各组织中肥大细胞的观察研究

目的：试验旨在通过对6月龄剑白香猪肥大细胞的观察,以期了解肥大细胞在剑白香猪不同组织器官的数量、分布及形态。方法：采集剑白香猪心、肝、脾、肺、肾、肾上腺、小肠等部位样品用多聚甲醛和carnoy’s液固定后,用甲苯胺蓝染色法检测各组织中肥大细胞数量、分布及形态,并用SPSS13．0软件进行统计分析。结果：试验表明,肥大细胞数量在不同性别问无明显差异;Carnoy’S固定液是测定猪各组织器官MC的较理想固定液;肥大细胞在各种组织中分布及形态复杂多样。本试验可为剑白香猪肥大细胞的进一步研究提供参考数据。     

Light and electron microscopic studies on mast cells of the bovine oviduct

This study was conducted to determine the staining properties, the light and electron microscopic appearance and numerical distribution of mast cells from different regions of the bovine oviduct during the estrous phase and luteal phase. Ten oviducts from bovines in the estrous phase, and 10 from bovines in the luteal phase were used as study samples. In three regions of the oviduct (infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus), mast cells that showed metachromasia with toluidin blue and Ab(+), SO(-) with the combined Ab/SO stains were encountered. Electron microscopic studies of the mast cells showed them to contain two types of granules; a dense homogeneous type and a tiny particulate type. In all three regions of the oviduct, the luteal phase was observed to have a higher number of mast cells per mm2 area than the estrual phase with the isthmus having the most dense population.     

泌乳周期中外源物质对大鼠乳腺内肥大细胞数量的影响及乳腺组织内组胺含量的研究

选择泌乳期和静止期大鼠，经乳腺局部（乳导管）或外周（跖部皮下）注射辣根过氧化物酶（HRP）后，应用改良甲苯胺蓝染色法（MTB）对乳腺及其引流（鼠蹊部）和非引流（腘）淋巴结内的肥大细胞数量变化进行了研究，用荧光测定改良法检测了乳腺组织中组胺含量。结果显示，对照组乳腺及引流和非引流淋巴结内的肥大细胞数量均为静止期显著多于泌乳期（P〈0．01），乳腺中组胺含量也呈相同的变化趋势。在泌乳期从不同部位引人HRP后，乳腺及乳腺引流淋巴结内肥大细胞数量明显增多，与对照组相比差异极显著（P〈0．01）；而乳腺非引流淋巴结内肥大细胞数量则略有减少，与对照组相比差异不显著（P〉0．05）。在静止期从不同部位引人HRP后，乳腺及乳腺非引流淋巴结内肥大细胞数均减少，而乳腺引流淋巴结内的肥大细胞数则随引人部位不同而有差别：乳腺引人时增加，而外周引入时减少。本研究结果表明肥大细胞数量随生理周期的改变而增减的趋势与乳腺的发育、乳腺局部免疫状态及内分泌调节都有关系，而且不同泌乳阶段乳腺内肥大细胞对异物的易感性也存在差异。     

A case of pulmonary acariasis in lung of Japanese macaque

A 20-year-old female Japanese macaque, weighing 8.7 kg, developed severe pulmonary acariasis. Numerous whitish nodules, 2-4 mm, were scattered throughout the lungs. Histologically multifocal granulomatous lesions consisting of a large number of eosinophils, epithelioid cells, foreign body type giant cells, and collagen fibers were aggregated around the mait bodies. Numerous mast cells were also detected in the lesions by toluidine blue staining, and tested positive for tryptase by immunohistochemistry. This may be the first reported case of severe pulmonary acariasis in a Japanese macaque.     

Mucus characterisation in the Octopus vulgaris skin throughout its life cycle

The development of the epidermis of octopus, Octopus vulgaris, throughout its life cycle was studied by conventional staining and histochemical techniques using lectins. The mantle, the arm and the two parts of the suckers: the infundibulum and the acetabulum were analysed independently. With the exception of the suckers, the general morphology of the epidermis does not vary from the first days post-hatching to adulthood. In general terms, histochemical techniques do not indicate changes in the composition of glycoconjugates of the epidermis main cells, epithelial and secretory cells. The epithelial cells of the mantle and arm show positivity for mannose (ConA+) in their apical portions, indicating the presence of n-glycoproteins that, among other things, provide lubrication to the surface of the body. In the suckers, the apical surface of the infundibulum contains sulphated glycosaminoglycans of the N-acetylglucosamine type that provide adhesive properties. In addition to observing three types of mucocytes, m1 and m2 are characteristic of the mantle and arm, and m3 is found in the suckers. The paralarva epidermis is characterised by the presence of Kölliker's organs whose exact function is unknown. In this study, the absence of staining with alcian blue/periodic acid–Schiff(AB/PAS) prevents the possibility of attributing a secretory function. Nevertheless, the linkage of three lectins (WGA, LEL and GSL-I) in the fascicle of the organ suggests the presence of proteoglycans rich in N-acetylglucosamine that would mainly have a structural role.     

L-苯丙氨酸对小鼠妊娠早期胚胎发育及子宫局部肥大细胞的影响

为了研究交感神经对小鼠胚胎着床和发育的作用机制,本文筛选出合适的L-苯丙氨酸浓度(320 mg/kg体重),处理孕鼠,观察胚胎着床和发育,通过甲苯胺蓝染色检测子宫局部肥大细胞的变化.研究结果显示,320 mg/kg体重L-苯丙氨酸能显著降低胚胎着床数目,分别下降了45％ (E7)和58％(E9),并且显著延缓胚胎的发育；与对照组相比,着床后子宫局部肥大细胞数目显著降低,分别在E5～E9降低了36.62％、64.59％和23.30％,差异显著.由本研究结果可以推断一定浓度的L-苯丙氨酸可以激活交感神经,影响妊娠早期子宫局部肥大细胞数量,从而改变子宫局部微环境,影响胚胎着床和发育.     

Quantitation of histochemical staining of salivary gland mucin using image analysis in cats and dogs

Two different, computer-based, image analysis methods were employed to complement subjective assessment of patterns of mucin staining (by periodic acid Schiff/alcian blue, aldehyde fuchsin/alcian blue and potassium hydroxide-alcian blue/phenylhydrazine hydrocholoride) in digitised images of sections of major and minor salivary glands from cats and dogs. Image analysis based on red, green and blue (RGB) staining was not suitable for quantitation of histochemical staining of mucin in salivary glands. Image analysis based on hue, saturation and lightness (HSL) allowed quantitative assessment of staining by different stain components and of mixed staining, and enabled comparison of staining of different glands in dogs and cats. Quantitative analysis based on HSL allowed differentiation of differences in staining patterns of major and minor cat and dog salivary glands, and between the species; such differences would have been impossible to distinguish on subjective grounds alone. Quantitative assessment of normal salivary gland histochemistry allows comparison with staining patterns in disease.