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Mast cell specific proteases in rat brain: changes in rats with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

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Summary

Mast cell populations were identified within brain parenchyma by their specific proteases, using antibodies for immunohistochemistry and ELISAs, and riboprobes were developed for in situ hybridisation. Connective tissue mast cells expressing rat mast cell protease I (RMCPI) mRNA and immunoreactivity were observed in thalamus and showed no degranulation at 3, 8 and 13 days after induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Mucosal-like mast cells were clearly demonstrated in control rats by measuring RMCPII and by visualising cells expressing RMCPII mRNA and immunoreactivity. At day 13, but not 3 and 8 post immunisation, the number of RMCPII-expressing cells markedly increased in the EAE-induced group, mainly within brainstem and spinal cord close to inflammed blood vessels.

The markers of histaminergic neurons were marginally affected 13 days after immunisation and the increase of [3H] histamine synthesis elicited by the H3-receptor antagonist, thioperamide, was not modified in any region of the brain.

It is concluded that the cerebral RMCPII-expressing mast cells could play a role during EAE.

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  1. A. Rouleau

    Present address: Unité de Neurobiologie et Pharmacologie (U. 109), INSERM, Centre Paul Broca, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université René Descartes, Paris, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité de Neurobiologie et Pharmacologie (U. 109), INSERM, Centre Paul Broca, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université René Descartes, Paris, France

    M. D. Trung Tuong, J. -C. Schwartz & M. Garbarg

  2. Laboratoire de Physiologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université René Descartes, Paris, France

    V. Dimitriadou

  3. Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh

    G. F. J. Newlands

  4. Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Edinburgh, Veterinary Field Station, Easter Bush, Roslin Midlothian, UK

    H. R. P. Miller

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  1. A. Rouleau
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Rouleau, A., Dimitriadou, V., Trung Tuong, M.D. et al. Mast cell specific proteases in rat brain: changes in rats with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. J. Neural Transmission 104, 399–417 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01277659

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