Binding of Histamine in Mammalian Tissues

Abstract

MUCH of the histamine in mammalian tissues is contained in tissue mast cells¹; but it is by no means certain how it is held at high concentration inside these cells. Evidence suggests that the mast cells do not produce the histamine but have a specific faculty of storing this compound. However, storage does not occur until metachromatically staining granules of heparin become visible in the cytoplasm of the cells. Experiments have been carried out, therefore, to study the affinity of histamine and heparin for one another.