[Morphology and function of intra-hepatic lymphocytes derived mast cells]

We have examined the functional characteristics of mast cells grown in tissue culture from intra-hepatic lymphocytes of mice (IHL-MC) and compared them with mast cells grown from bone marrow (BMC-MC). Intrahepatic lymphocyte derived mast cells had the functional characteristics of cultured mast cells. These cells were stained by alcian blue, had a lower histamine content than rat peritoneal mast cells (considered to be a model of connective tissue type mast cells) and responded to Ca2+ ionophore and IgE receptor mediated stimulation. However, there were some differences between IHL-MC and BMC-MC. IHL-MC had a higher histamine content and lower growth activity by T-cell derived factor than BMC-MC.