New dynamic viewing of mast cells in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): contributors or outsiders to cardiovascular remodeling

作者：Jian Xu, Jingjing Wang, Cheng-Jie Shao, Xiaoning Zeng, Lixiang Sun, Hui Kong, Weiping Xie, Hong Wang · 发表于：Journal of Thoracic Disease · 年份：2018 · DOI：10.21037/jtd.2018.05.59 · 被引用次数：25 · 研究领域：Mast cells and histamine、Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments、Asthma and respiratory diseases

BACKGROUND: In patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), mast cells (MCs) are extensively observed around pulmonary vessels. However, their temporal and spatial variation during PAH development remains obscure. This study investigated the dynamic evolution of MCs in lungs and right ventricles (RV) to illuminate their role in pulmonary vascular and RV remodeling. METHODS: The PAH model was established by a single intra-peritoneal injection of monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg) in rats. On day 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after MCT injection, lung and RV tissues were harvested for staining with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Gomori aldehyde fuchsin (GAF), toluidine blue (TB) and picrosirius red (PSR). Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the levels of α-SMA, CD68 and tryptase. A simple RV remolding model was produced as well by pulmonary artery banding (PAB). RV tissues were collected to determine the degree of MCs infiltration. RESULTS: After MCT challenge, elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), increased RV systolic pressure (RVSP), pulmonary arterial media hypertrophy as well as distal vascular muscularization gradually occurred with time. MCs recruitment along with CD68+ macrophages accumulation was observed around distal pulmonary vessels and in alveolar septa. Excessive infiltration and degranulation of MCs were detected in MCT-treated group in lung tissues but not in RV. In addition, no exacerbation of MCs infiltration and degranulation in RV was noted in ...