AI Article Synopsis
- * A study of 24 nerve biopsies from leprosy patients examined the relationship between tryptase-rich mast cells and nerve fibrosis by analyzing mast cell density and collagen levels.
- * Results indicated a strong link between increased collagen and the density of tryptase-rich mast cells in the outer nerve layer (epineurium), suggesting these mast cells contribute to fibrosis in leprosy by secreting tryptase.
Article Abstract
Background: Leprosy, a disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, is an important health problem worldwide. It is responsible for an irreversible nerve damage in which fibrosis plays an important role. The existence of an interaction between mast cells and different fibrotic conditions has long been observed. Tryptase, the most abundant protein product of human mast cells, has been shown to be mitogenic for fibroblasts and to increase type I collagen production.
Patients And Methods: In order to explore the possible relationship between tryptase-rich mast cells and nerve fibrosis in leprosy, we studied 24 sural nerve biopsies of patients with leprous neuropathy. Mast cells stained with mouse antihuman mast cell antitryptase clone AA1 as well as fibrosis, were quantitatively estimated in both epi- and endoneurial compartments.
Results: There was a remarkable association between collagen increase and tryptase-rich mast cell density in the epineurium but not in the endoneurium of leprous nerves.
Conclusion: Since the epineurium in leprosy is type I collagen rich, the present findings support a tryptase-rich mast cell contribution to epineurial collagenization in leprosy through their tryptase secretion.
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