Role of Mast Cells in Mammary Gland Carcinogenesis
Abstract
Wistar-Furth rats were treaded with carcinogen (NMU) and mammary glands were collected at different time points during 6 months. Mast cell (MC) deficient rats (Ws/Ws) were also employed in this study, in which the incidence of tumor development was also investigated. Normal and malignant tissues were analyzed for the type and number of MC as well as for the mRNA expression of MC specific genes. We found that in the normal mammary gland, MC appeared sparse and rat mast cell protease (RMCP) I type was the most abundant. In tumors MC form clusters. Varied degranulation was seen and electron microscopy further confirmed activation of MC without overt degranulation in NMU treated tissue. However, in contrast to what we expected, MC-deficient rats did develop tumors over the same time period as Wistar-Furth rats, whereas their wild type counterparts seem resistant to tumor development. Further studies are needed in order to confirm the exact role of MC in early carcinogenesis. At present it remains unclear whether MC release mediators protective or detrimental to the tumor, but we are quite certain that the presence of MC regulates mammary carcinogenesis in some way.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA430366
Entities
People
- Theoharis Theoharides
Organizations
- Tufts University