Mast cells and multiple sclerosis in females and males

Abstract

Mast cells were observed in autopsies from 11 females and 8 males. We confirm earlier observations that mast cells are more frequent in close vicinity to MS-plaques. In these plaque-border zone areas, defined as the area within 1 mm distance of the actual plaques, the average number of mast cells was 2.34/mm2 in males and 4.77/mm2 in females, which in average is appr. 10 times more than earlier observed in MS. The difference in number of mast cells between females and males is significant (p < 0.005) and is of interest since females are more inclined to developing MS than males. Mast cells were rare in areas without visible plaques. The mast cells were preferably located close to capillaries and venules. A mechanism for the probable role of mast cells, based on diet-factors and mast cell mediators in the pathogenesis of MS is discussed.