Intestinal Mast Cell Response Research Articles

Absence of intestinal mast cell response in congenitally athymic mice during Trichinella spiralis infection.

DURING the intestinal phase of nematode infections in laboratory rodents a variety of cell types is found in the gut mucosa, including mast cells and globule leukocytes1–4. After stimulation by the nematodes present either in the intestinal lumen or penetrated into the gut mucosa, the number of intestinal mast cells increases1,4. Next, mast cells invade the epithelial lining of the villi, discharge secretory products, including histamine, and change into the intra-epithelial globule leukocytes1,5. Release of mast cell secretory products is mediated by IgE antibody6. No conclusive evidence has as yet been presented, that the secretory products have a role in the expulsion of the worms.