Target cells of human ragweed-binding antibodies in monkey skin. I. Immunofluorescent localization of cellular binding.

Abstract

The present study was designed to obtain evidence concerning the nature of the target cells of human reagins in monkey skin. Rhesus monkey skin biopsies were incubated with ragweed atopic or normal human sera, washed and quick frozen in isopentane or embedded in paraffin. Sections were treated sequentially with ragweed antigen E and fluoresceinated goat anti-antigen E globulin. Sections sensitized with allergic serum showed specific cellular fluorescence in the dermis which was invariably absent from those treated with normal serum. On counter-staining with toluidine blue, the fluorescent cells were identified as metachromatically staining mast cells.