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Updated: Sep 12, 2026
Implantation of hiPSC-derived Cardiac-muscle Patches after Myocardial Injury in a Guinea Pig Model
Published on: March 18, 2019
[Mastocytes of the parietal pericardium in the guinea pig]
Abstract:
The present research was performed in the parietal pericardium of guinea pigs aged between 4 and 5 months. After stretching the pericardium on a slide and fixation in Mota's fluid, the following techniques were utilized to study the distribution and the cytochemical characteristics of mastocytes: 1) staining with Toluidine blue or Methylene blue 0,5%; 2) staining with Toluidine blue 10(-4)M in buffered solution at different pH (2,3,4,5,6,7); 3) staining with Alcian blue 8GS pH 1 and pH 2,6. Prior to 1,2,3 a digestion with Ch-ase ABC was performed. The pericardium was also exposed to ortophtaldialdehyde and paraformaldehyde vapours to show the presence of histamine and 5-HT. From our data it results that mastocytes of the parietal pericardium of guinea pig always show an extremely elongated shape. Their granular content is characterized by the presence of condroitinsulphate and ialuronic acid. By the OPT reaction a blue fluorescence becomes evident, showing low histamine levels in mastocytes, while the paraformaldehyde reaction results to be always negative.
Insights
Guinea pig parietal pericardium mast cells are elongated and contain chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. Histamine levels are low, while serotonin is not detected in these mast cells.
Area of Science:
- Histology
- Cytochemistry
- Immunohistochemistry
Context:
- The parietal pericardium is a crucial component of the cardiovascular system.
- Mast cells play diverse roles in inflammation and tissue homeostasis.
- Understanding mast cell characteristics in the pericardium is vital for cardiovascular research.
Purpose:
- To investigate the morphological and cytochemical properties of mast cells in the guinea pig parietal pericardium.
- To determine the presence and distribution of glycosaminoglycans and biogenic amines within these mast cells.
Summary:
- Mast cells in the guinea pig parietal pericardium exhibit an elongated morphology.
- Cytochemical analysis revealed the presence of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid within mast cell granules.
- Histamine was detected at low levels via the o-phthalaldehyde (OPT) reaction, while serotonin (5-HT) was not detected using the paraformaldehyde method.
Impact:
- This study provides detailed insights into the unique characteristics of pericardial mast cells.
- Findings contribute to the understanding of mast cell heterogeneity and function in cardiovascular tissues.
- Establishes a baseline for future research on pericardial mast cell involvement in cardiac conditions.
