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Updated: Nov 1, 2025
Experimental Infection of Mice with the Parasitic Nematode Strongyloides ratti ratti Infection
Published on: January 17, 2025
IgE Content and IgE Receptor Expression of Mast Cells in Normal and Nematode-Infected Rats
Insights
Mast cells in rats naturally carry significant immunoglobulin E (IgE) and receptor saturation. During parasitic infection, mast cell IgE receptors increase early, before serum IgE rises.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Mast cells play a crucial role in allergic responses and immunity.
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a key antibody involved in parasite defense and allergies.
- Mast cell surface receptors bind IgE, mediating cellular responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify native IgE and IgE receptor status on rat mast cells.
- To investigate changes in mast cell IgE receptor expression during parasitic infection.
- To correlate mast cell IgE receptor dynamics with serum IgE levels and host response.
Main Methods:
- Cytofluorometric analysis was employed to measure IgE content, receptor availability, and saturation on identified mast cells.
- Peritoneal mast cells from pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, and Hooded-Lister rats were analyzed.
- Mast cell analysis was performed during infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.
Main Results:
- Normal rat mast cells exhibit substantial native IgE and significant receptor saturation (60-70%).
- Early in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection (days 2-3), peritoneal mast cells showed increased IgE receptor numbers.
- This IgE receptor up-regulation preceded mast cell reduction, peritoneal inflammation, and elevated serum IgE.
Conclusions:
- Rat mast cells possess a significant baseline level of native IgE.
- Parasitic infection triggers an early increase in mast cell IgE receptors, independent of systemic IgE elevation.
- Mast cell IgE receptor modulation is an early event in the host response to nematode infection.
Abstract:
A cytofluorometric method was used to measure the native IgE content, the number of IgE receptors available for binding, and the degree of saturation of the receptors on microscopically identified mast cells. The peritoneal mast cells of normal, naive, murine pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats as well as of Wistar and Hooded-Lister rats raised under controlled conditions and without signs of infection, were found to carry a significant number of IgE molecules with unknown specificity. The IgE content varied greatly among the individual mast cells within a given population, but, on average, 60-70% of the receptors available for binding were occupied. During an infection with the nematode worm, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis which is associated with an elevated serum IgE level, an increased number of IgE receptors on the peritoneal mast cells was already found on days 2-3 of the infection, preceding a reduction of mast cell numbers and an inflammatory response in the peritoneal cavity. This up-regulation of IgE receptors occurred much earlier than a previously observed increase in serum IgE.
