title: Mast cells isolated from guinea-pig lung: characterization and studies on histamine secretion.
abstract: A method has been developed for the dispersion of guinea-pig lung into its component cells using the proteolytic enzyme collagenase. The procedure typically yielded 5 X 10(6) mast cells per g of tissue with a recovery of histamine of ca. 20%. The mast cells comprised 2% of the total nucleated cells, had a histamine content of 1-2 pg per cell and exhibited a low spontaneous release of the amine (ca. 6%). In contrast to the rat peritoneal mast cell, guinea-pig lung mast cells were refractory to the action of compound 48/80, peptide 401 (MCD-peptide), dextran and Concanavalin A. However, the cells released histamine on antigenic challenge following active sensitization and dose-dependent histamine secretion was also produced by the ionophores A23187, ionomycin and Br-X537A. These results further emphasize the functional heterogeneity of mast cells obtained from different species and tissues.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007476:Ionophores