REGULATORY MAST-CELLS .1. SUPPRESSIVE ACTION OF THEIR PRODUCTS ON AN INVITRO PRIMARY IMMUNE-REACTION

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1975
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. C126  (5-6) , 669-682
Abstract
Products of mast cell [mouse] degranulation, as well as histamine and serotonin, were added to a Mishell and Dutton preparation for in vitro primary immunization (induction of IgM [immunoglobulin M] antibody formation) to sheep or horse red blood cells. Degranulation products were obtained beforehand by reacting passively sensitized mast cells with the corresponding antigen (unrelated to or identical with the in vitro immunizing antigen) or liberated into the culture medium where mast cells actively sensitized to the in vitro immunizing antigen were added. A 46-72% reduction of direct (IgM) plaque forming cells was observed in all cases. This reduction was prevented by anti-histamine. The responsible mediators were active in the 0-24 h period after antigen introduction. The anaphylactic degranulating antibodies triggering this inhibitory activity were thermolabile in 1 experiment. An in vivo-induced mast cell degranulation led to a reduced formation of plaque forming cells. The enhancing and immunoregulatory activity of anaphylactic mouse antibodies is tentatively and at least partially attributed to their capacity to degranulate mast cells after contact with the antigen.