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Lectin histochemistry of the mast cell: A light microscopical study

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The purpose of this study was to determine if human mast cell granules contain non repeating oligosaccharide sequences. The binding of lectins to human mast cell granules was studied using a panel of 11 lectins variously selective for bothN- andO-linked oligosaccharide sequences. The tissues were principally derived from cutaneous neurofibromata and benign and malignant breast diseases, that is, readily available human material with a known high content of mast cells. Lectin-binding sites in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded or resin-embedded material were visualized by means of biotinylated lectins and an avidin—peroxidase technique for light microscopy. The results indicate that human mast cell granules contain abundantN-linked sequences, but few or noO-linked residues. These sequences appear to be mostly in the form of non-bisected highly branched or smaller biantennate sequences, although variable positive binding with erythrophyto-haemagglutinin was observed, indicating some degree of bisection.

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  1. C. J. Kirkpatrick

    Present address: Abteilung Pathologie der RWTH, Pauwelsstraβe, D-5100, Aachen, Federal Republic of Germany

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  1. University Departments of Pathology, Withington Hospital, M20 8LR, Manchester, UK

    C. J. Kirkpatrick

  2. University Departments of Pathology, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, M13 9PT, Manchester, UK

    Carolyn J. P. Jones & R. W. Stoddart

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Kirkpatrick, C.J., Jones, C.J.P. & Stoddart, R.W. Lectin histochemistry of the mast cell: A light microscopical study. Histochem J 20, 139–146 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01746677

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