Concanavalin A-induced activation of hamster mast cells: morphological changes and histamine secretion

Peritoneal mast cells of Syrian hamsters release histamine to the action of concanavalin A (Con A) in dose-dependent fashion. The rate of release was very rapid in the first seconds of cell activation and completed in 60 s after the challenge. Morphological changes concomitant to the lectin treatment, followed by electron microscopy, show that early signs of exocytosis are seen after 10 s. The process starts in peripherally located granules which swell, have a decreased density and form pores by fusion of the cellular membrane and the perigranular membranes. Then it spreads toward the cell interior by fusion of granules and forming intracytoplasmic cavities. Some extruded granules are also observed. Preincubation of lectin with rat IgE or with rat serum induced an inhibition of its histamine releasing action. Immunization increased the Con A-induced histamine release in young but not in older hamsters. An IgE-mediated mechanism is suggested for the parallel ultrastructural changes and histamine release effects induced by Con A on the hamster mast cell.