Author information
1
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services, San Antonio, Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Electronic address: Jamie.l.lombardo.mil@mail.mil.
2
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services, San Antonio, Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX.
3
Pinnacle Clinical Research, San Antonio, TX.
Abstract
Mast cells are present throughout the body in low numbers. We know their role in immediate hypersensitivity and the subsequent tissue damage due to release of cytokines, vasoactive amines, and lipid mediators when mast cells are activated. Recent research has found that there is an association between an increased concentration of mast cells in the liver and the severity of hepatic fibrosis in animal models. We currently don't understand the role of mast cells in the liver with regard to fibrosis. This retrospective review study investigated whether there is a correlation between stages of fibrosis and mast cell concentrations. 106 tissue slides were collected from a large military hospital of known cases of unremarkable liver, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Non-NASHNAFLD), and each stage of NASH (Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). These were analyzed by staining the slides with tryptase to highlight and quantify the mast cell concentration in each diagnostic category. Three pathologists counted mast cells in five 400x fields (1 square mm) in both the periportal and parenchymal regions of each slide. These numbers were recorded and analyzed with a t-test, demonstrating an increase in mast cells in NASH stage 3-4 fibrosis compared to unremarkable liver (35.48 versus 18.23, respectively, P<.001) and a direct correlation (r=0.287) between the number of mast cells and the stage of fibrosis. Better characterizing the role of mast cells in the development of hepatic fibrosis gives us a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of NAFLD and NASH and possibly a pharmaceutical target. LAY SUMMARY: Mast cells are a cell type in the immune system that has been associated with inflammation and local tissue damage. These cells can be present or even increased in various disease processes. This research identifies a correlation between the concentration of mast cells and the stage of fibrosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), providing a possible target for medical therapy.