The Release of Histamine and Heparin by Antigen from the Isolated Perfused Liver of the Sensitized Dog

Abstract

Summary The response to antigen of the isolated livers of dogs sensitized to egg white and horse serum was studied by measuring the release of histamine and heparin. Significant amounts of histamine and heparin were released from the sensitized isolated liver perfused with Tyrode's solution on the addition of antigen (horse serum). In animals not so highly sensitized it was found that to obtain the release of histamine and heparin by antigen, blood was definitely superior to Tyrode's solution for the perfusing medium. The suggestion is made that blood owes this superiority to its ability to maintain the liver cells in good physiological condition for the reactions leading to the release of histamine and heparin after the union of antigen and antibody has occurred in these cells.