Background and purpose: Oral squamous CELL carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity. In solid tumors, cancer CELLs and stromal CELLs (fibroblasts, inflammatory CELLs, endothelial CELLs) play a role in tumor progression, angiogenesis, local invasion, and metastasis. MAST CELLs contribute to carcinogenesis by releasing chemical mediators in their granules through various pathways, including suppressing the immune system, enhancing angiogenesis, destroying the extraCELLular matrix, and increasing the mitosis of tumoral CELLs. Several studies have investigated the role of MAST CELLs in oral squamous CELL carcinoma. While some suggest that MAST CELLs play an angiogenic and tumorigenic role, others do not confirm this, highlighting the contradictory findings in this area. In this study, we discuss the role of MAST CELLs in oral squamous CELL carcinoma. Materials and methods: The mean number of MAST CELLs was significantly lower in higher microscopic grades compared to poor grades (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the average number of MAST CELLs based on age, gender, or location of occurrence (P>0.05). Results: the mean number of MAST CELLs was significantly lower in microscopic grade and higher than poor (P-value˂0/05). But there was no significant difference in the average number of MAST CELLs based on age, gender and place of occurrence (P˃0/05). Conclusion: The significant increase in the average number of MAST CELLs in microscopic grades II and III compared to grade I indicates the role of MAST CELLs as an indicator of disease progression. This finding may support the use of novel treatment approaches, such as MAST CELL degranulation inhibitors and anti-angiogenic therapies.

Background and Objective: Aggressive periodontitis is a destructive disease that leads to a quick and extensive periodontal tissue loss. MAST CELLs are known to play important roles in allergic reactions, host defense against bacterial infections, local homeostasis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between MAST CELL numbers and aggressive periodontitis.Materials and Methods: A descriptive analytical and blind study was designed and gingival specimens from 19 moderate to advanced aggressive periodontitis sites (case group) and 18 gingivitis sites (control group) was taken during flap and crown lengthening surgeries. Toluidine blue and Hematoxylin Eosin staining were done for MAST CELL counting and inflammation assessment, respectively. Inflammatory and MAST CELLs in 5 micron sections were assessed by two trained observers utilizing light microscopy. ANOVAs and T test with an alpha error level less than 5% were used to analyze the data.Results: The mean values of the MAST CELL numbers were 7.6±10.8 and 9.8±13.0 in aggressive periodontitis and gingivitis sites, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among the MAST CELL counts, clinical attachment loss, or pathologic inflammation (P> 0.05).Conclusions: The present study indicates that MAST CELL numbers were not significantly different between aggressive periodontitis and gingivitis. Further studies are required to evaluate dynamic aspects of host defense.

Background & Objective: Transitional CELL carcinoma (TCC) is the world's seventh most common tumor and forms more than 90% of urinary bladder tumors. Invasive tumors are associated with poor prognosis, even with surgical treatment and chemotherapy. Some studies have found that an increase in the number of MAST CELLs in TCC is related to the tumor grade and its aggressiveness. This study investigated the relationship between MAST CELL density (MCD) and features of TCC (tumor stage, grade, prognosis, and recurrence). Methods: Fifty-one cases with TCC were selected, and MCD was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Giemsa staining. Mortality rate and tumor recurrence were recorded. Results: The MCD mean was higher in high-grade tumors than in low-grade tumors (in IHC method: 9. 127 vs 5. 296; in Giemsa method: 5. 512 vs 2. 608). Also, the MCD mean in dead patients was higher than in survived patients (in IHC method: 11. 390 vs 6. 211; in Giemsa method: 7. 460 vs 3. 35). Patients with tumor recurrence showed a higher MCD mean than those without recurrence (in IHC method: 9. 395 vs 5. 475; in Giemsa method: 5. 715 vs 2. 931). Conclusion: Using MAST CELL tryptase and Giemsa, MCD may be associated with a positive correlation with tumor grade in TCC. Correlations between MCD, recurrence, prognosis, and tumor stage are probably caused by the effect of tumor grade (all with P<0. 05).

MAST CELLs are related to certain gastrointestinal complaints. MAST CELL density has not been studied in cardio-esophageal region to the best of our knowledge. In this study we wanted to obtain an estimate of MAST CELL density in this region and compare it with MAST CELL density in antrum.From April 2007 till March 2010, we chose children (<14 years old) who underwent upper endoscopy and from whom the taken biopsy was stated to be from lower third of esophagus, but in microscopic examination either cardio- esophageal mucosa or only cardiac mucosa was seen. MAST CELLs were counted by Giemsa stain at ×1000 magnification in 10 fields.71 children (<14 years old) were included in this study of which, 63.4% (n=45) were female and 36.6% (n=26) were male. The mean age of patients was 7.20±4.21 years (range: 0.2-14 years). The most common clinical manifestations were recurrent abdominal pain (64.8%) and vomiting (23.9%) followed by symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disorder, poor weight gain, hematemesis and dysphagia.The mean MAST CELL density in the cardiac mucosa was 33.41±32.75 in 0.25 mm2 (range: 0-155), which was two times of that in antral mucosa. We found a significant but weak positive correlation at the 0.05 level between MAST CELL density of cardiac mucosa and the antrum.Higher MAST CELL counts were seen in cardiac mucosa in this study. Significant positive correlation between MAST CELL density of cardiac mucosa and the antrum could hint to a single underlying etiology for the inflammatory process in gastro- esophageal junction and gastric mucosa.

Background: MAST CELLs are initiating immune response and acting as first line of host defense against bacterial and parasitic infection. They are known to play an important role in allergic reaction, local homeostasis, inflammation and angiogenesis.Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between MAST CELL count and chronic periodontitis.Methods: This case-control study was conducted on subjects referred to dentistry centers in Qazvin from 2004 to 2005. Periodontal parameters including probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, gingival and plaque indices were measured. Gingival specimens from 20 moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis sites (case group) and 18 healthy/ gingivitis sites (control group) in routine periodontal surgeries (flap and crown lengthening) were prepared. The specimens were examined after toluidine-blue staining for MAST CELLs and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining for histological assessment of the inflammation. MAST CELL counting and inflammation grading was performed 3 times by 2 observers in 5 micron length sections, using light microscope at 100 and 400 magnifications. Data were analyzed by T-test and ANOVA.Findings: MAST CELL count were 34.5±23.1 in case group and 13±9.8 in control group and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). In small grades of pathologic inflammation, MAST CELL count were 42.2±33.2 in case group and 8.4+5.4 in control group and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.04) as well. There was no relationship in high grades of inflammation.Conclusion: The present study indicates that MAST CELL numbers in chronic periodontitis sites are more than healthy or gingivitis sites. The results of this study suggest more studies to clarify the role of MAST CELLs in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis and also to evaluate the dynamic aspects of host defense simultaneously with other aspects of immune system.

Background: Periapical lesions develop in response to chronic stimulation of an infected root canal in the periapical tissue. Two of the most common periapical inflammatory lesions are periapical cysts and granulomas. A MAST CELL is a round to elliptical immune CELL that originates from bone marrow stem CELLs and enters peripheral blood, secreting histamine, heparin, cytokines, and chemokines under the influence of triggers. The present study aimed to evaluate MAST CELL density in periapical cysts and granulomas. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 60 samples of periapical inflammatory lesions, including radicular cysts and periapical granulomas. Sections were stained with Giemsa and then the number of MAST CELLs were counted in five random areas of the cyst and granuloma walls. The results were analyzed in SPSS software (version 23) using the Mann-Whitney test. P-value<0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean number of MAST CELLs in the radicular cyst (6. 073±4/6) was higher than periapical granuloma (4. 627±5. 4),nonetheless, no significant correlation was found (P =0. 174). Conclusion: The presence of MAST CELLs suggests the major role of these CELLs in the inflammatory mechanism of periapical lesions. Based on the critical role of these CELLs in the development and spread of periapical lesions, incorporating therapeutic and pharmaceutical approachs to alter the function of MAST CELL degranulation may be helpful in arresting inflammation in the early stages or preventing the spread of lesions.