Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the rat, induced with two homologous reagin-like antibodies and its specific inhibition with disodium cromoglycate.

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  • 1 June 1969
    • journal article
    • Vol. 16  (6) , 749-60
Abstract
Rats immunized with egg albumin and Bordetella pertussis organisms produce a `mast cell sensitizing' antibody (MCSAb) which is thermolabile, a potent skin sensitizer and reagin in character. Similarly the immune response to Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in rats is closely associated with the formation of antibodies which also resembles human reagins. Homologous passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reactions induced by N. brasiliensis serum were found to be similar to those produced using the adjuvant induced antibody in that both were completely inhibited by, combined treatment with mepyramine and 2-bromo-D-lysergic acid diethylamide (BOL148), cyproheptadine or pretreatment with compound 48/80. In contrast, skin reactions involving passive sensitization of rats with rabbit hyperimmune antiserum were much less affected. Studies on mast cell disruption at the site of PCA reactions showed that such reactions using N. brasiliensis serum were accompanied by degranulation of mast cells, and confirmed that mast cell damage occurs in PCA induced with MCSAb. Both the PCA and the mast cell disruption were maximal 5 minutes after antigen challenge in both rat reagin systems. The skin reaction produced using rabbit hyperimmune antiserum was not primarily dependent on, or associated with, mast cell disruption, since it was still possible to induce skin reactions when the mast cells had been disrupted by compound 48/80, and skin reactions could be obtained without significant mast cell disruption.