The phenotype of mast cells in primary adenoid liver tumours of rats and its relation to tumor cells

: Mast cells in adenoid liver tumours of 32 rats induced with nitrosomorpholine were observed ultrastructurally, and among them, some were studied immunocytochemically via immunogold techniques. Data indicated that mast cells which located in tumour tissues presented positive expression of rat mast cell protein (RMCP) II, indicating origination from the mucosal mast cells, while those in the connective tissues around tumours were largely stained negatively with either RMCP II or RMCP I antisera, with the exception of only a few cells showing positive RMCP II staining. Ultrastructural observation showed that mast cells in tumors contacted closely with the tumor cells. Membranes of the intracellular granules in these mast cells were fusing together. The content inside the granules were discharged and spread along the intercellular space between the tumor cells. There was not any lesion obtained ultrastructurally at the contacting point between the tumor cells and the mast cells. The significance of mucosal mast cells in adenoid liver tumors is briefly discussed.