Histamine Release from Peritoneal Mast Cells of Tumor Susceptible Rats following Periods of Tumor Growth and Sensitization with Tumor Antigen and <i>B. pertussis</i>

Abstract

Fischer-344 inbred rats and fibrosarcoma BP1, which grows in this strain, were used to evaluate <i>in vivo</i> histamine release from peritoneal mast cells upon challenge with antigen prepared from this tumor. Rats were sensitized 7 days prior to challenge with either intramuscular tumor homogenate and <i>B. pertussis</i> or by subcutaneous tumor transplant. Percent histamine release was found to be significantly greater in both groups than in untreated and adjuvant controls. Rats that received transplants released half as much of the histamine as those given tumor antigen and <i>B. pertussis</i> (3.05 vs. 6.15%).