Microplate Assay for Measurement of Histamine Release from Mast Cells

Abstract

A microplate-format assay for measurement of histamine release by activated rat peritoneal mast cells, with accompanying microplate-format spectrofluorometric assay of histamine, is demonstrated. Reproducibility and linearity of the histamine assay are comparable to the historical large format assay. Transfer of samples in the 96well format, from histamine release through spectrofluorometric assay, greatly expedites handling and provides for better independence of each replicate. A sample experiment is included to show a typical size experiment easily done in this format.