RESIDENT CELLS OF THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE – MAST CELL
The mast cell participates in inflammatory and allegic reactions by secreting molecules accumulated in its cytoplasm granules such as histamine and heparin.
It is an oval-shaped cell with a central or eccentric nucleus and has many cytoplasmic granules. It is often found near blood vessels.
The content of the granules is not well stained by hematoxylin and eosin and, therefore, the mast cell is not easily recognized in sections stained with these stains. On the other hand, the granules stain well with metachromatic dyes, such as toluidine blue and also by stains for elastic tissue, such as Weigert’s stain.
Metachromatic dyes are so called because they stain cellular structures in a color slightly different from their original color. For example, mast cell granules stain purple by toluidine blue.
The image is of a whole preparation of a small piece of a mesentery stained to demonstrate elastic fibers. The mast cell nucleus is not stained, but its cytoplasm is filled with secretory granules.
The thin fibrils are probably eslastic fibers of the extracellular matrix.
It is an oval-shaped cell with a central or eccentric nucleus and has many cytoplasmic granules. It is often found near blood vessels.
The content of the granules is not well stained by hematoxylin and eosin and, therefore, the mast cell is not easily recognized in sections stained with these stains. On the other hand, the granules stain well with metachromatic dyes, such as toluidine blue and also by stains for elastic tissue, such as Weigert’s stain.
Metachromatic dyes are so called because they stain cellular structures in a color slightly different from their original color. For example, mast cell granules stain purple by toluidine blue.
The image is of a whole preparation of a small piece of a mesentery stained to demonstrate elastic fibers. The mast cell nucleus is not stained, but its cytoplasm is filled with secretory granules.
The thin fibrils are probably eslastic fibers of the extracellular matrix.
Whole mount of mesentery. Staining: Weigert. Large magnification.