A Semimicro Assay for Degranulation of Free Mast Cells

Mast cells are known to contain chemical mediators such as histamine and serotonin in their granules and play an important role in allergic inflammation. IgE-antigen reaction on mast cell membrane causes the release of chemical mediators, and consequently atopic allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, urticaria, and rhinitis are induced. Therefore, in in vitro studies of IgE-mediated allergic reactions, free mast cells are frequently used as an experimental material. The authors have developed a semimicro assay for free mast cell degranulation without the disadvantage of the former assay and described its usefulness.