Intensity of angiogenesis and mast cell infiltration in cervical intraepithelial and invasive lesions - are they correlated?

The data on the association between angiogenesis and mast cell density in cervical tumors and pretumoral conditions are scanty. The aims of the study were as follows: (1) to assess microvessel density and mast cell density in cervical lesions as well as in normal cervix samples and (2) to study the correlation between these variables. A hundred and one cervical samples were submitted to histopathological evaluation. Four study groups were distinguished: normal cervix samples, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and invasive squamous cell carcinomas. The immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-CD34, Anti-Human Mast Cell Tryptase, and Anti-Human Mast Cell Chymase antibodies. The microvessels and mast cells in the corresponding areas of tissue samples were counted by three observers using a multi-headed microscope. Microvessel density and density of mast cells that contain tryptase increased from normal samples through intraepithelial lesions to invasive carcinoma. The density of mast cells containing chymase was significantly higher in invasive carcinomas than in normal samples. In the entire study population, but not in the separated study groups, significant correlations between microvessel density and mast cell density were found. A specific mechanism of this interaction still needs to be evaluated.