Isolation and properties of mast cells from the small bowel lamina propria of the rat.

A method is described for the isolation of mast cells from the mucosa of the small intestine of rats infected with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. The cells release histamine on challenge with IgE-directed ligands and calcium ionophores but, in contrast to rat peritoneal mast cells, are refractory to the action of basic secretagogues. The mucosal and peritoneal cells also differ markedly in their sensitivity to particular anti-allergic drugs. These results further emphasize the functional heterogeneity of mast cells from different sources.