DETECTION OF IMMEDIATE HYPERSENSITIVITY IN RABBITS BY DIRECT BASOPHIL DEGRANULATION

[摘要] The direct in vitro antigen-induced degranulation of rabbit basophils based on a simplified 1-step method for the staining of these cells is reported. Degranulation was assessed by counting the number of basophils before and after exposure to antigen at 37.degree. C in the presence of Ca++. The degranulation was Ig[immunoglobulin]E-mediated, as shown by its passive transfer to nonimmunized rabbits by IgE-containing serum; the reaction was dependent on the presence of Ca2+ ions and normal cell metabolism. The technique allowed the detection of serum factors capable of blocking the degranulation. It provided a means for following IgE sensitization at the cellular level, which is a better index of immediate hypersensitivity than the presence of circulating specific IgE.