Researchers used our Fritz slide scanner in a study aimed at understanding the cause of the transformation of murine peritoneum-derived mast cells (PMCs) in connective tissue. Mast cells play a crucial role in both cancer progression and the immune response to infections by viruses and bacteria. They support angiogenesis, degradation of the extracellular matrix, and the transition from epithelial to mesenchymal cells. PMCs, which are mast cells isolated from the peritoneum, were the focus of the study. The goal was to determine why these PMCs were undergoing transformation.
“Mast cells (MCs) are immune cells of the myeloid lineage distributed in tissues throughout the body. Phenotypically, they are a heterogeneous group characterized by different protease repertoires stored in secretory granules and differential presence of receptors. To adequately address aspects of MC biology either primary MCs isolated from human or mouse tissue or different human MC lines, like HMC-1.1 and -1.2, or rodent MC lines like L138.8A or RBL-2H3 are frequently used. Nevertheless, cellular systems to study MC functions are very limited. We have generated a murine connective tissue-like MC line, termed PMC-306, derived from primary peritoneal MCs (PMCs), which spontaneously transformed. We analyzed PMC-306 cells regarding MC surface receptor expression, effector functions and respective signaling pathways, and found that the cells reacted very similar to primary wildtype (WT) PMCs. In this regard, stimulation with MAS-related G-protein-coupled receptor member B2 (MRGPRB2) ligands induced respective signaling and effector functions. Furthermore, PMC-306 cells revealed significantly accelerated cell cycle progression, which however was still dependent on IL-3 and stem cell factor (SCF). Phenotypically, PMC-306 cells adopted an immature connective tissue-like MCs appearance. The reason for immortalization most likely is the loss of the two critical cell cycle regulators Cdkn2a/INK4A and Arf/p19, respectively. The loss of Cdkn2a and Arf expression could be mimicked in primary bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) by SCF supplementation strongly arguing for an involvement of KIT activation in the transformation process. Hence, this new cell line might be a useful tool to study further aspects of PMC function and to address tumorigenic processes associated with MC leukemia.” Sandro Capellmann et al.
Researchers used our Fritz Slide Scanner equipped with a 40x objective and our MicroPoint software for the microscopic review and interpretation of the MGG-stained MCs. To view or transfer data, researchers used our ViewPoint and ConvertPoint software.
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