Rat mast cell degranulation triggered by murine anti-idiotypic antibodies

Triggering of rat mast cell degranulation by murine anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) was investigated, using rat passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reactions as the method of evaluation. It was shown that the interaction between isologous murine anti-Id directed against anti-benzylpenicilloyl (BPO) antibodies and BPO-specific IgE molecules on the cell surface can induce PCA reactions on rats. The mechanism of cell activation by anti-Id was briefly discussed.