Uptake and metabolism of histamine by neoplastic mast cells

Abstract Furth mast cells grown in mice as an ascitic tumour and incubated in vitro took up histamine from the medium. The curve obtained by plotting the net uptake against concentrations in the medium suggests that the uptake of histamine occurred through an active process. Histamine uptake was inhibited both by lowering the temperature and by adding iodoacetic acid. This cell line did not metabolize histamine to any significant extent. The biological characteristics of different mast cell clones are discussed, in view of using this system for studying drug actions on mast cell histamine. Clones of neoplastic mast cells have provided a reliable model for studies of the uptake of histamine ( Day and Green 1962 , Day and Stockbridge 1964 , Furano and Green 1964 , Green 1966 , Mannaioni et al. 1968 , Green 1968 ). However, the nature of the uptake process and the ability of neoplastic mast cells to metabolize histamine are still at issue.