Ultrastructural morphology of the rat mast cells after mild skin inflammation

Abstract EN

The ultrastructural characteristics of the cutaneous mast cells in the rat (Rattus rattus) were investigated in normal (uninflamed) and after mild in- Flammarion induced by repeated topical application of chloroform to the skin.

In normal skin, mast cells were seen filled With dense secretory granules of various size and Shape.

In inflamed skin.

mast cells were appear to aggregate to each other and became highly activated as, demonstrated by the exocytotic expression of granule release.

Bundles of collagen fibers were closely as- sociated wilh the short cytoplasmic processes of these cells which mighl sug- gest push movement mechanism.

In addition, a close anatomical relationship between these cells and vesicle containing profiles of nerve terminals.

The re- sults give further anatomical support to the involvement of mast cells in the process of the cutaneous neurovascular inflammatory response.