Development of an allergy test model: activation of human mast cells with potentially allergenic substances

Due to the permanent increase of newly developed and already existing aller gies, simple, quick., and reliable test models for detecting potentially al lergenic substances are still required. Here, we describe the development o f a new in vitro allergy test based on isolated primary mast cells (MC) of non-allergic patients from lung tissue and foreskin specimens, respectively . To establish the specificity of the test model we used primary NIC stimul ated with immunoglobulin E (IgE), human recombinant stem cell factor (hrSCF ), and anti-IgE antibodies to release significant amounts of histamine indi cating the ability of MC to cause a hypersensitivity reaction of the immedi ate type. The general applicability of this test model for detecting allerg enic substances could be confirmed by histamine release of primary MC stimu lated with sera of patients suffering from house dust allergy, and the corr esponding antigen Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. The results of the presen t work, suggest that this newly developed human in vitro model provides the opportunity of testing Substances for their allergenic potential within da ys and at low costs. This could also be of particular interest for newly pr oduced compounds. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserve d.