HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Baxter, J. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Baxter, J. H.

Role of Ca⁺⁺ in Mast Cell Activation, Desensitization, and Histamine Release by Dextran

From the Molecular Disease Branch, National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014

Abstract

Dextran with Ca⁺⁺ released histamine from rat mast cells, and desensitized them to subsequent challenge with dextran. Desensitization occurred even under certain conditions that inhibited histamine release. In the absence of Ca⁺⁺, however, dextran induced little histamine release or desensitization. Furthermore, mast cells that had been exposed to dextran without Ca⁺⁺ and then washed, failed to release histamine when treated with Ca⁺⁺. Cells exposed to dextran with Ca⁺⁺ at 0° C and washed, however, did release histamine when resuspended in warm buffer. Thus, it appeared that dextran and Ca⁺⁺ were required simultaneously in order to activate the cells.