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The possible role of mast cells in pigmented nevi

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Summary

Electron microscopic investigations revealed high numbers of mast cells in pigmented nevi particularly in the vicinity of blood vessels and unmyelinated nerve fibers. The elevated number of mast cells near the blood vessels is a well known phenomenon in various tissues. The very close contact between mast cells and smooth muscle cells of the vessels as well as the “naked” axons of unmyelinated nerve fibers may suggest a transport function of these cells from the blood circulation to the nervous system and/or vice versa. The significance of this transport function especially in the metabolism of nevus-tissue is discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Mit elektronenmikroskopischen Untersuchungen wurde an Naevuszell-Naevi eine häufige Zahl von Mastzellen besonders in der Nähe der Gefäße und marklosen Nervenfasern beobachtet. Die Vermehrung der Mastzellen im Gebiet der Blutgefäße der varianten Gewebe wurde als gut bekanntes Phenomen registriert. Auf Grund des sehr engen Kontaktes zwischen Mastzellen und glatten Muskelzellen der Blutgefäße sowie der “nackten” Axonen der marklosen Nervenfasern ist eine transportierende Funktion dieser Zellen aus der Blutzirkulation zum Nervensystem und “vica versa” vorauszusetzen. Die Bedeutung dieser transportierenden Funktion ist speziell im Stoffwechsel der Naevusgewebe besprochen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Szeged, Hungary

    Lenke Szekeres

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  1. Lenke Szekeres
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Szekeres, L. The possible role of mast cells in pigmented nevi. Arch. Derm. Forsch. 251, 55–60 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00561711

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