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Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice
Published on: October 14, 2014
Imidacloprid inhibits IgE-mediated RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis
Linbo Shi1, Li Zou1, Jinyan Gao2
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China.
Background:
Imidacloprid has been commonly used as a pesticide for crop protection and acts as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists. Little information about the relationship between imidacloprid and allergy is available.
Objective:
This study aims to examine the effects of imidacoprid on IgE-mediated mast cell activation.
Methods:
The rat basophilic leukemia cell line RBL-2H3 (RBL-2H3 cells) were treated with 10-3 - 10-12 mol/L imidacloprid, followed by measuring the mediator production, influx of Ca2+ in IgE-activated RBL-2H3 cells, and the possible effects of imidacoprid on anti-dinitrophenyl IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA).
Results:
It was shown that imidacoprid suppressed the production of histamine, β-hexosaminidase, leukotriene C4, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and Ca2+ mobilization in IgE-activated RBL-2H3 cells and decreased vascular extravasation in IgE-induced PCA.
Conclusion:
It is the first time to show that imidacloprid suppressed the activation of RBL-2H3 cells.
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