Degranulation rate of mast cells by saline challenge was about 20% in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum and about 10% in normal mice as well as in passively sensitized mice with infected mice serum. The purpose of this study was to verify the truth of fragility of mast cells in detail. Female mice of gpc strain aged eight weeks were divided into the three groups such as mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum, passively sensitized mice with infected mice serum, and normal mice. Degranulation of mast cells in mice skin tissue by challenge of compound 48/80 and/or hypo-osmotic NaCl solutions was investigated quantitatively by Higginbotham-Kumada method. There was a dose response phemonenon between the degranulaion rate of mast cells and the content of compound 48/80 in saline solution challenged to them. A maximal rate of degranulation was observed in a solution of compound 48/80 at the dilution of 1:4×10^4 in normal mice, at that of 1:8×10^4 in passively sensitized mice with infected mice serum, and at that of 1:32×10^4 in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum. Degranulation rate of mast cells of infected mice was increased according to the difference of challenged hypoosmotic NaCl solutions; the rate was 22% by saline, 40% by 0.75% NaCl solution, and 62% by distilled water. On the other hand, normal and passively sensitized mice showed constantly a degranulation rate as about 10% by challenge of various solutions listed above. The subjected antibody adhered on mast cells during 24 hours and was thermolabile, which charactor showed of reaginic type through the experiment of passively sensitized mice with infected serum. Consequently, the fragility of mast cells in infected mice with Schistosoma japonicum is partly due to adhesion of reaginic antibody on them and partly related ro unknown factor.
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