Immunohistochemical studies with skin mast cells

Using different histochemical and immunohistochemical methods we demonstrate that isolated skin mast cells used for different pharmacological and biochemical studies exhibit the same staining pattern compared to skin mast cells in situ. Surface structures and enzyme content of the cells appear not to be influenced by the isolation technique. We also observed no differences in the staining pattern of mast cells in neurofibroma, a cutaneous disorder characterized by an increase of mast cell numbers.