alcian-blue and Hypersensitivity

This report describes an inhibitory effect of Gahmi-Shini-San (GSS) on mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions. GSS is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been successfully used in Korea for the treatment of allergic disorders, mainly skin anaphylactic diseases. GSS inhibited the ear swelling response induced by intradermal injection of compound 48/80 in a mouse model on a concentration-dependent basis. The mast cells in mouse ear tissue were stained by alcian blue/nuclear fast red. GSS significantly inhibited the compound 48/80-induced degranulation from mast cells in ear tissue. GSS dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells by compound 48/80. We also studied the effect of GSS on mast cell-dependent passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by dinitrophenyl IgE antibody. GSS showed inhibition of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis following oral administration. These results indicated that GSS has inhibitory effect on mast cell-dependent immediate type cutaneous reactions.

Topics: Alcian Blue; Animals; Cell Degranulation; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ear; Histamine; Hypersensitivity; Mast Cells; Mice; Neutral Red; p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis; Peritoneal Cavity; Plant Extracts; Rats

Human mast cells can be divided into two subtypes: MCTC cells, which contain tryptase and chymase, and MCT cells, which contain tryptase only. Herein we have used a combination of histamine, tryptase and chymase immunohistochemistry as a novel approach to the study of mast cells. Using this technique, we have discovered a new type of MCTC mast cell in biopsies of the nasal mucosa from healthy subjects and allergic patients. These mast cells have histamine-positive, dendrite-like cellular processes. Some cells have only one slender process, whereas other cells have several long processes extending from different parts of the cell body. Some of the cellular processes divide into two or three terminal branches, and histamine is sometimes found in small swellings along the course of the processes. Our findings contribute new aspects to the concept of mast cell heterogeneity. Thus, human mast cells may vary not only with respect to mediator content, but also with respect to gross morphologic features such as the presence of dendrite-like cellular processes. The recognition of this extreme heterogeneity may be an important step toward a better understanding of mast cell biology.

Topics: Adult; Alcian Blue; Chymases; Coloring Agents; Dendritic Cells; Female; Histamine; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Mast Cells; Nasal Mucosa; Reference Values; Serine Endopeptidases; Tryptases

We have carried out studies to ascertain whether the histamine-containing, IgE-bearing cells found in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid obtained during the late-phase response following subsegmental antigen challenge of human airways are predominantly basophils or mast cells. Four lines of evidence suggest that most are basophils: (1) The cells fulfill morphologic criteria for light microscopy. (2) Cell surface markers determined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry revealed that the IgE-bearing cells express the leukocyte antigens Fc gamma RII and the beta 2 integrins, LFA-1 and Mac-1, but do not express the mast cell-associated c-kit receptor for stem cell factor. (3) The late-phase histamine-containing cells in late-phase BAL fluids have the functional characteristics of basophils in their secretory responses to anti-IgE, the f-met peptide, and phorbol ester TPA. (4) The cells have a functional histamine type 2 receptor, a characteristic of basophils, not mast cells. We conclude that basophils infiltrate the lower airways hours after antigen exposure. These cells may be responsible for the mediator release observed at that time.

Topics: Alcian Blue; Allergens; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Antigens, Surface; Basophils; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Dimaprit; Histamine; Histamine Release; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Lung; Mast Cells; N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

A method for estimating heparin content in basophilic leucocytes by means of cytophotometry of alcian blue--heparin complex is proposed. Its application for measuring heparin amounts in basophils of healthy donors and of patients with allergies is demonstrated.

Topics: Alcian Blue; Basophils; Cytophotometry; Heparin; Humans; Hypersensitivity