SEQUENCE OF MAST-CELL CHANGES IN OCULAR ANAPHYLAXIS

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (2) , 281-287
Abstract
Ocular anaphylaxis was produced in rats by the injection of egg albumin into ocular adnexal tissues of immunized animals. Mast cells in the tip of the eyelid from normal, antigen-injected control and antigen-injected immunized rats were examined at 0.50, 1, 6 and 24 h. The number of cells and their morphology was determined. All 3 groups had the same number of mast cells at all time intervals. Extensive mast cell degranulation was observed at 0.50 and 1 h in lid tips of immunized, antigen-challenged rats. By 24 h, the mast cells appeared to have healed and regranulated, although it was possible to distinguish these cells from mast cells of normal animals. Under certain conditions, mast cells participating in ocular anaphylaxis are apparently not destroyed but survive and regenerate granules within the first 24 h.