Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Analyzing the Functions of Mast Cells In Vivo Using 'Mast Cell Knock-in' Mice
09:07

Analyzing the Functions of Mast Cells In Vivo Using 'Mast Cell Knock-in' Mice

Published on: May 27, 2015

Structural and functional peculiarities of mast cells in undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia

N G Luzgina1, O V Potapova, V A Shkurupiy

  • 1Research Center of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia. luzgina@mail.ru

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
|January 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Connective tissue dysplasia syndrome increases mast cells in the skin, potentially contributing to arterial hypertension. This compensatory reaction may boost extracellular matrix synthesis.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pathology
  • Cardiovascular Science

Background:

  • Undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia syndrome (UCTDS) is prevalent in patients seeking cosmetic treatments.
  • Mast cells play a role in tissue remodeling and inflammation.
  • The link between UCTDS, skin mast cells, and systemic conditions like hypertension is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunomorphological characteristics of mast cells in the skin of women with UCTDS.
  • To explore the potential role of chymase-positive mast cells in UCTDS pathogenesis.
  • To hypothesize the contribution of these mast cells to associated arterial hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Immunomorphological analysis of mast cells in undamaged skin biopsies.
  • Quantitative assessment of mast cell numerical density, specifically those containing chymase granules.
  • Comparison between patients with and without phenotypical evidence of UCTDS.

Main Results:

  • A 1.7-fold higher numerical density of chymase-positive mast cells was observed in women with UCTDS compared to controls.
  • This increase is hypothesized to be a compensatory and adaptive response.
  • The response may be aimed at enhancing the synthesis of connective tissue extracellular matrix components.

Conclusions:

  • Increased chymase-positive mast cells in the skin are a feature of UCTDS.
  • These mast cells may contribute to altered extracellular matrix synthesis.
  • Elevated chymase-positive mast cells could play a role in the development of arterial hypertension associated with UCTDS.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca2+-imaging and Degranulation Assays11:31

Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca2+-imaging and Degranulation Assays

Published on: July 4, 2018

Isolation of Functional Cardiac Immune Cells07:26

Isolation of Functional Cardiac Immune Cells

Published on: December 5, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Extracellular Matrix01:26

Extracellular Matrix

Unlike epithelial tissue, which is composed of cells closely packed with little or no extracellular space in between, connective tissue cells are dispersed in a matrix. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of fibrous proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin in a ground substance consisting of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans. The proteoglycans form a gel-like material in the spaces between cells and provide hydration, buffering, binding, and force...
Introduction to Connective Tissues01:11

Introduction to Connective Tissues

Connective tissues are one of the four main tissue types in humans that are extensively present in the body. They are characterized by cells embedded in an extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of a ground substance and three main types of protein fibers— collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers. The ground substance of connective tissues can range from a watery and jelly-like consistency to mineralized and hard. The wide variety of cells in the connective tissues include fibroblasts, osteocytes,...
Connective Tissue Cell Types01:22

Connective Tissue Cell Types

Connective tissue develops from the mesoderm of a developing embryo and consists of cells, fibers, and ground substance: a gel-like material containing large complexes of carbohydrates and proteins. Connective tissue was first identified as a separate tissue family in the 18th century, and Johannes Peter Muller coined the term connective tissue.
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
Classification of Connective Tissues01:30

Classification of Connective Tissues

The connective tissues have different properties and functions in the human body. They are broadly categorized into proper, supporting, or fluid connective tissues.
Connective Tissue Proper
Connective tissue proper is the most abundant class of connective tissues. As its name implies, it predominantly connects different tissues in the body. Depending on the cell types, ground substance, viscosity, and fiber types in the ECM, connective tissue proper is further categorized into loose and dense.
Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Structure of Cadherins01:25

Structure of Cadherins

The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins”   is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...