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Mast cells and multiple sclerosis: a quantitative analysis

P G Krüger1

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Arstadveien 19, N-5009 Bergen, Norway. per.kruger@iac.uib.no

Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology
|September 5, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Mast cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain plaques are significantly reduced compared to skin. These cells accumulate at MS plaque borders, potentially contributing to brain swelling and myelin damage.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
  • The role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of MS remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify mast cell density in MS plaques.
  • To investigate the localization of mast cells within MS lesions.

Main Methods:

  • Histological analysis of brain tissue from four MS patients.
  • Mast cell counting and spatial distribution analysis within plaques.

Main Results:

  • Average mast cell density in MS plaques was 0.35 cells/mm², significantly lower than normal human skin.
  • Mast cells were predominantly found in border zones of plaques, concentrated near blood vessels.

Conclusions:

  • Mast cells are scarce in MS plaques but localize to areas of edema.
  • Mast cells may play a role in MS pathogenesis, particularly in edema formation and myelin destruction.

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