Human mast cells detected by monoclonal antibodies

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 37; no. 11; pp. 1249 - 1255
• Main Authors: Rimmer, E F, Turberville, C, Horton, M A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.11.1984; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Cytoplasmic Granules - immunology; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Hybridomas - immunology; Immediate hypersensitivity. Allergy. Anaphylaxis, etc; Immunobiology; Immunoglobulin G - immunology; Mast Cells - cytology; Mast Cells - immunology; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Reaction mechanisms, antibodies, chemical mediators; Tolonium Chloride; Human; Numeration; Vertebrata; Specificity; Mammalia; Mouse; Rodentia; Hybridoma; Identification; Mast cell; Monoclonal antibody; Immunofluorescence
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.37.11.1249

We report the establishment of seven mouse-mouse hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies with specificity for granule components of all human mast cells. Reactivity is directed against a molecule which is also found intracytoplasmically in human mature small intestinal enterocytes, liver parenchymal cells, and kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells. No reactivity of these antibodies was found with any other human or animal cell type examined. In particular, the antibodies did not react with basophils or other haemopoietic cell types. This study shows the potential of specific monoclonal antibodies as a tool for identifying and enumerating infiltrating mast cells in tissues. Such antibodies should be of value in investigations into the role of the mast cell in immunological reactions and hypersensitivity diseases.