LARGE-SCALE ISOLATION OF INTACT RAT BASOPHILIC LEUKEMIA (RBL-2H3) CELLS

The rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 mast cell line is widely used for studies of the structure and function of the high affinity IgE recepto r (Fc epsilon RI). Here we report on a simple method to isolate large numbers of intact RBL-2H3 cells from tumors produced by injection of t he cells into newborn rats. Collagenase treatment of rat tumors yields approximately 3.5 x 10(8) viable cells/animal. Aggregating Fc epsilon RI on these cells induced tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins includ ing the protein tyrosine kinase Syk. This procedure should prove usefu l for the isolation and characterization of cellular molecules importa nt for mast cell and basophil function.