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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
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Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice
Published on: October 14, 2014
INSUSCEPTIBILITY TO SENSITIZATION AND ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK.
1Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
White rats cannot be induced into anaphylaxis with horse serum, despite forming precipitins. This suggests anaphylaxis and precipitin formation are distinct immunological processes in rats.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Animal Models in Immunology
Background:
- Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction.
- Precipitin formation indicates an immune response to an antigen.
- Understanding the relationship between these processes is crucial in immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for inducing anaphylaxis in white rats using horse serum.
- To determine if white rats can be sensitized to horse serum.
- To explore the relationship between anaphylaxis and precipitin formation in white rats.
Main Methods:
- Administering intravenous and subdural injections of horse serum to white rats.
- Utilizing skin and uterine reactions to assess sensitization.
- Performing passive sensitization experiments with guinea pigs.
- Measuring precipitin concentration and antigen levels in the blood.
Main Results:
- Anaphylactic shock could not be induced in white rats.
- White rats did not show signs of sensitization to horse serum via skin or uterine reactions.
- Passive sensitization of guinea pigs with rat serum was unsuccessful.
- White rats formed precipitins against horse serum, and the antigen was cleared from circulation.
Conclusions:
- Anaphylaxis and precipitin formation appear to be independent immunological processes in white rats.
- The white rat serves as a model to differentiate between anaphylaxis and precipitin formation.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these distinct immune responses.
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