The role of mast cell tryptase in neoangiogenesis of premalignant and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix

Recently, mast cell tryptase has been identified as another potent proangio genic factor in tumors, along with fibroblast and vascular endothelial grow th factors. Its role has been studied in a number of cancers, including car cinoma of the uterine cervix, with discordant results. Our aim was to study the expression of tryptase and bFGF in mast cells (MCs) during development of neoangiogenesis in premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix. Bi opsy specimens from 21 patients without cancer and from 63 patients with dy splasias and squamous cell carcinomas were used. They were stained with Alc ian blue-safranin O (ABSO) and immunostained with specific antibodies again st factor VIII, CD105, tryptase, and bFGF. Tryptase-positive mast cells inc reased with tumor progression and were close to newly formed blood vessels. Vascularization showed a linear increase from dysplasia to invasive cancer . We suggest that MC tryptase may upregulate neoangiogenesis in carcinogene sis of the uterine cervix.