title: Generation of mast cells from murine stem cell progenitors.
abstract: Mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (mBMMCs) are an invaluable tool for the study of mast cell function from wild-type, knockout, and transgenic mice. This method describes the isolation of mast cell progenitors from the bone marrow of mouse femurs and their subsequent culture in an IL-3-rich culture medium. After 4 weeks, mBMMCs are obtained in high number and are of high purity. Assessment of their granularity by toluidine staining and IgE receptor expression by flow cytometry are also described. These cells are a useful tool in the determination of mast cell function in innate and adaptive immunity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Academic Unit of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, MPT 810, Rm LF73, SAB, Level F, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK, e.j.swindle@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Emily J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Swindle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice