Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Presence of c-KIT-positive mast cells in obliterative bronchiolitis from diverse causes.

Full Abstract

CONTEXT: The mechanism of fibrosis is not clear in patients with obliterative bronchiolitis after a remote injury. Immune-mediated progression may be a reason. c-KIT (CD117)-positive mast cells have been associated with chronic fibrosing diseases and may potentially be treated with imatinib (Gleevec), a c-KIT blocker. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of mast cells in fibrosis associated with obliterative bronchiolitis. DESIGN: Four cases of obliterative bronchiolitis (household cleaner exposure, ammonia exposure, idiopathic, and posttransplantation) were compared with asthma/emphysema. Small and large airways were stained for CD20, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD117, CD34, CD25, stem cell factor (c-KIT ligand) and with toluidine blue, hematoxylin-eosin, and trichrome. c-KIT (CD117)-stained slides were digitally scanned with Aperio ScanScope and stained cells within the epithelium and subepithelium of small and large airways were counted (per millimeter of basement membrane). RESULTS: Mast cells were concentrated within the involved subepithelium of small airways in obliterative bronchiolitis (122 cells/mm), unlike asthma/emphysema (25 cells/mm). Conversely, there were more mast cells in the epithelium in cases of asthma/emphysema than in obliterative bronchiolitis (7 cells/mm and 2 cells/mm, respectively). Mast cells were significantly increased around involved airways versus uninvolved airways (52 cells/mm vs 14 cells/mm). Large airways in either group had similar c-KIT (CD117) expression. Stem cell factor was not increased. CONCLUSIONS: Mast cells appear to be concentrated in the lesional small-airway subepithelium in obliterative bronchiolitis. The possible role of c-KIT inhibitors such as imatinib (Gleevec) in the progression of fibrosis preceding the development of obliterative bronchiolitis is discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Fuehrer, Neil E (NE); Marchevsky, Alberto M (AM); Jagirdar, Jaishree (J);

Affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (Arch Pathol Lab Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 133 (issue 9) : pp 1420-5

Dates: Created 2009/09/02; Completed 2009/09/22;

PMID: 19722748, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/22/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Asthma - metabolism Biological Markers - metabolism Bronchioles - metabolism Bronchiolitis Obliterans - drug therapy; metabolism Emphysema - metabolism Fibrosis - drug therapy; metabolism Humans

Humans Image Processing, Computer-Assisted Mast Cells - metabolism; pathology Piperazines - therapeutic use Protein Kinase Inhibitors - therapeutic use Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - drug effects; metabolism Pyrimidines - therapeutic use

Associated Chemicals: Biological Markers (0) ; Piperazines (0) ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors (0) ; Pyrimidines (0) ; imatinib (152459-95-5) ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit (EC 2.7.1.112)

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