Demonstration of IgE on human-skin mast cells using anti-IgE125I and refined light microscopy.

Abstract

The human-tissue mast cell playsan important role in protective reactions to locally-induced antigens. It has been shown that the release of histamine from these cells can be initiated by cationic-anionic exchange and formation of acid-base complexes using bee venom. Since Ishizaka demonstrated that the first cousins to mast cells, the basophils of the blood, can be triggered to release their histamine by a second mechanism involving the union of specific antigen or anti-IgE with IgE coating the basophil, it is reasonable to expect that mast cells are also coated with IgE. The authors have used the sensitive technic of radioautography with specific antihuman IgE125I, combined with refined light microscopy as described by Dvorak, and have successfully directly demonstrated IgE on skin mast cells, and the release of granules and histamine from these cells triggered by specific antigen.