Lack of correlation between mast cell response and active anaphylaxis in mice

Mast cell-competent mice, sensitized to lysozyme, were examined for their mast cell and anaphylactic responses to determine whether anaphylactic shock could occur independent of mast cell participation. Tissues (cremaster muscle, subdermal connective tissue and mesentery), taken a short time after intravenous antigenic challenge, showed no evidence of mast cell degranulation above control tissues. Data obtained from a quantitative comparison of the onset and increase in local and systemic anaphylactic and mast cell sensitivities to the antigen provide strong support for the view that mast cells are not the major effector cells for systemic anaphylaxis in mice. The significant increase in blood pressure that occurred immediately after infusion with the antigen also indicates that other cells within the blood stream are involved.