MAST-CELL TRYPTASE LEVELS IN NORMAL CANINE TISSUES

Levels of canine tryptase from various tissues were quantified using a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The assay util ises an affinity-purified rabbit anti-tryptase antibody in the solid p hase and alkaline-phosphatase conjugated tryptase together with unlabe lled tryptase in the fluid phase. The assay will rapidly quantify 40-5 000 ng ml(-1) of tryptase in tissue extracts. Tissues from the skin, g ut, liver and lung were studied, of which canine gut appeared to conta in the highest levels of tryptase per milligram wet weight, which may suggest an important role for this enzyme at this site. This assay may prove valuable in assessing the role of mast cells in various disease states in the dog.