RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Increased mast cell numbers in human patellar tendinosis: correlation with symptom duration and vascular hyperplasia
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 753
OP 757
DO 10.1136/bjsm.2007.040212
VO 42
IS 9
A1 A Scott
A1 Ø Lian
A1 R Bahr
A1 D A Hart
A1 V Duronio
A1 K M Khan
YR 2008
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/42/9/753.abstract
AB Objectives: The cellular basis of painful tendon overuse pathology (tendinosis) is poorly understood. It has been suggested that because of the close anatomical associations between mast cells and vessels in connective tissues, mast cells may mediate the development of tendon hypervascularity or oedema.Objectives: To examine the distribution of mast cells in men and women with patellar tendinopathy.Design: Case–control study.Methods: Tendinopathic tissue was collected at open debridement of the patellar tendon and a control tendon from patients undergoing intramedullary nailing of the tibia. The tendon was assessed immunohistochemically by evaluating the distribution of mast cells (AA1), and markers for T lymphocytes (CD3) and macrophages (CD68). The vessel-area fraction was quantified using computer-assisted digital image analysis.Results: The prevalence of mast cells per mm2 (mean 3.3 (SD 3.0)) was greater in tendinosis tissue than in controls (1.1 (1.5); p = 0.036). In patients with tendinosis, mast cell density was moderately correlated with the vessel-area fraction (r2 = 0.49) and with symptom duration (r2 = 0.52).Conclusion: Mast-cell prevalence in patellar tendinopathy was increased and was predominantly associated with vascular hyperplasia, particularly in patients with longstanding symptoms. Future research should investigate whether mast cells play direct or indirect modulatory roles in the development and progression of human tendinosis.