Lectin-induced histamine release from various populations of hamster mast cells.

Peritoneal, pleural and cheek pouch mast cells from Syrian hamsters were tested for their reactivity to the action of concanavalin A and the lectin from Canavalia brasiliensis. Both lectins induced dose-dependent histamine release from hamster mast cells but the magnitude of release was different in the three mast cell populations (peritoneal greater than pleural greater than cheek pouch mast cells). The lectin from Canavalia brasiliensis was a more potent histamine releaser than concanavalin A for the peritoneal and pleural mast cells. The responsiveness of these two populations of mast cells to the action of both lectins was dependent on the age of hamsters; in young animals up to six months old it increased with their age, whereas in older animals a slight decrease of the responsiveness was observed. Our results support the view that mast cells from different locations and from animals of different ages may show marked variations in their histamine releasing properties.