Isolation and characterization of mast cells in mouse models of allergic diseases.

After their activation, mast cells release a variety of bioactive mediators that contribute to characteristic symptoms of allergic reactions. Ex vivo analysis of mast cells derived from their progenitors or isolated from mice is an indispensable tool for the development of newer and more effective therapies of allergic syndromes. Here, we describe the differentiation and isolation of mouse mast cells from different sources including differentiation from bone marrow, differentiation from fetal liver, and isolation of residential connective tissue-type mast cells from the peritoneum. These techniques are valuable tools for the study of mast cell function and their contribution to allergic reactions.