Mouse and rat IgE Cross-sensitization of mast cells and antigenic relationships

Mouse and rat IgE fix firmly to the peritoneal mast cells from the other species, sensitizing them for anaphylactic reaction. Sensitization with IgE can be demonstrated by inducing degranulation either with specific antigens or with corresponding anti-IgE. Sensitization of rat mast cells by mouse IgE antibodies is more easily obtained than that of mouse mast cells by rat IgE antibodies. In this case, anti-IgE-induced degranulation is higher than antigen-induced degranulation. Heterologous sensitization by IgE is time requiring and temperature-dependent. Its kinetics depend upon IgE concentration. Cross-reactions between IgE from one species and anti-IgE from another species have been observed: anti-IgE for one species is able to neutralize PCA reaginic activity of sera from the other species; anti-rat IgE induces degranulation of mouse actively sensitized mast cells. The results suggest strongly that there exists a structural and functional similarity between the IgE molecules from the two species.