Comparison of the Effects of Various Agents on Histamine Release and Mast Cells in the Rat, <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i>

Present Status of Biochemical and Pharmacological Analysis of Secondary Cellular Damage in Antibody-Mediated Allergic Reactions

“…It is not probable, how ever, that this difference between in vivo and in vitro experiments is due to a diminished ability of isolated sensitized cells to react to the antigen since these cells show unchanged reactivity to other active agents. Similar differences between in vivo and in vitro effects on mast cells and the release of tissue histamine have been observed with various pharma cologically active substances such as peptone [14], dextran and ovomu coid [2,23,28]. These data thus indicate that, under certain conditions, mast cell damage may occur in vivo by a secondary mechanism.…”

On the Role of Histamine Release and Mast Cell Damage in Rat Anaphylaxis

“…The histamine content of tissues and the appearance of tissue mast cells were assessed directly after the animals died, or, in those surviving, two hours after the chal lenge. For this purpose, 5 to 8 equal pieces of the mesentery of each animal were obtained and processed according to the methods de scribed previously (8,10).…”

“…In vitro experiments: Pieces of mesenteries of equal size were ob tained from all animals as described before (8,10). Some of the pieces obtained from untreated and from sensitized rats were in cubated in a final volume of 1 ml in physiological buffer solution (0.864% sodium chloride, 0.02% potassium chloride, 0.01% cal cium chloride, 0.2% glucose Sandoz, 10% Sorensen phosphate buf fer pH 7.60, 2% heat-inactivated (30'56°C) guinea pig serum, 10 mg% heparin Roche) for 10 min at 37 °C; others, in the same solution containing additionally 10% horse serum.…”

“…For the assessment of the effect of the antigen on mast cells in vitro, rat peritoneal mast cells were isolated from animals sensitized 12-15 days previously according to the methods described earlier (9,11) and incubated with horse serum (2 to 10%) for 10 min at 37 °C; in part of these experiments, fresh guinea-pig or bovine serum (7 to 20%) was additionally added to the incubate. In each experi ment, other portions of mast cells obtained from sensitized animals were incubated with compound 48/80 (Burroughs-Wellcome) or anti-rat /¡¡-globulin (10,11). After centrifugation, the histamine con tents of sediment and supernatant were assayed as before (11); other portions of isolated mast cells were examined unter the phasecontrast microscope at 37°C at the moment when antigen prewarmed to 37 °C was added.…”

Role of Mast Cells and Eosinophils in Tissue Injury Caused by Injection of Ascaris Fluid in the Rat

“…Furthermore, it was demonstrated that Ascaris fluid does not act by a direct cytotoxic effect on mast cells, but by release of mast cell lytic factors from eosinophils. The meaning of such a phenomenon, relative to the function displayed by eosinophils in tissue injury, is discussed.It has been demonstrated that inoculation of Ascaris fluid into the rat causes damage to mast cells and subsequent release of pharmacological mediators in tissues [Uvnas et al, 1960;T olone et al, 1968] Benditt, 1960] and peptone [Keller, 1965], Moreover, it has recently been suggested that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) are involved in the reactions which lead to damage of mast cells, since a fraction ob tained by acid extraction of PMNL-lysosomes and largely composed of basic proteins was found responsible for mast cell injury [Janoff et al, 1965;Archer and Jackas, 1965;Keller et al, 1968],The aim of the present work was to investigate the mechanism of the inflammatory activity displayed by Ascaris fluid and to clarify the ways in which damage occurs to mast cells. …”