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Pharmacology of IgE-mediated desensitization of human basophils: effects of protein kinase C and src-family kinase inhibitors.

IgE-mediated down-regulation of secretion from basophils and mast cells is an important component of the overall cellular response that determines the ultimate extent of mediator release. The down-regulatory process that occurs during active secretion has also been associated with the methodological phenomenon called desensitization, but the mechanisms underlying desensitization are not understood. A variety of studies have suggested that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) results in down-regulation of IgE-mediated secretion so we have examined the effect of the PKC inhibitors Ro-31-8220 (3-[1-[3-amidinothio)propyl-1H-indol-3-yl]-3-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3- yl) maleimide) and bis-indolylmaleimide II on desensitization in human basophils. At concentrations that have been shown previously to inhibit PKC-mediated functions in basophils completely, these two drugs had no effect on IgE-mediated desensitization. We did find, however, that the src-family kinase inhibitors PP1 [4-amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine] and PP2 [4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidine] inhibited desensitization as well as secretion. These data suggest that PKC has little role in down-regulating the IgE-mediated basophil response. However, like the activation signaling cascade, the desensitization process is dependent on the activation of src family kinases.

Basophils↗

Effects of phorbol ester and dexamethasone treatment on histidine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase in basophilic cells.

Both histamine and polyamines are important for maintaining basophilic cell function and viability. The synthesis of these biogenic amines is regulated by histidine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase, respectively. In other mammalian tissues, an interplay between histamine and polyamine metabolisms has been suspected. In this report, the interplay between histamine and ornithine-derived polyamines was studied in a non-transformed mouse mast cell line (C57.1) treated with phorbol ester and dexamethasone, a treatment previously used to increase histidine decarboxylase expression in mastocytoma and basophilic leukemia. Treatment with phorbol ester and dexamethasone increased histidine decarboxylase expression and intracellular histamine levels in C57.1 mast cells to a greater extent than those found for other transformed basophilic models. The treatment also induced a reduction in ornithine decarboxylase expression, intracellular polyamine contents, and cell proliferation. These results indicate that the treatment induces a co-ordinate response of polyamine metabolism and proliferation in mast cells and other immune-related cells. The decrease in the proliferative capacity of mast cells caused by phorbol ester and dexamethasone was simultaneous to an increase in histamine production. Our results, together with those reported by other groups working with polyamine-treated mast cells, indicate an antagonism between histamine and polyamines in basophilic cells.

Animals↗

A new method for histamine release from purified peripheral blood basophils using monoclonal antibody-coated magnetic beads.

A new method for evaluating histamine release from purified basophils was developed. Basophil-containing leukocytes were directly purified from a small amount of peripheral blood using monoclonal antibody BA312-coated magnetic beads. The purified basophils still rosetted to magnetic beads maintained a normal response to anti-IgE and to dust mite allergen in comparison with the conventional method using washed leukocytes. This methodology facilitates the purification of basophils, anti-IgE- and allergen-induced histamine release, and subsequent histamine determination within only 3 h. The released histamine was analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a characteristic detection profile. Since all steps were performed in 96-well microplates, many clinical samples could be analyzed at the same time, permitting easy applications in routine laboratories.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Simplified purification of human basophils.

Studies of human basophils have been limited by the low number present in peripheral blood and the difficulties of purification to homogeneity with reasonable yield and functional status. Reproducible purification of human basophils to 96.5+/-0.5% with a yield of 40.8+/-5.3% was obtained by negative selection using immunomagnetic beads following initial separation by density gradient centrifugation. Isolated cells demonstrated complete viability by vital dye exclusion and spontaneous histamine release following incubation of <5%. Stimulation with anti-IgE or calcium ionophore A23187 caused histamine release and leukotriene C(4) production. Basophils demonstrated dose-dependent chemotaxis to monocyte chemotactic protein-3. This simplified methodology results in fully functional basophils in very high purity and good yield.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

Eosinophils, mast cells, and basophils in induced sputum from patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial asthma: relationship to methacholine responsiveness.

OBJECTIVES: We attempted to determine whether inflammation is present in induced sputum of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) as compared with those with perennial asthma (AS) and examined its relationship with bronchial responsiveness to methacholine. METHODS: Sputum was induced in 30 patients with seasonal rhinitis in response to grass pollens only and in 15 patients with stable, asymptomatic asthma. The AR group was divided according to methacholine PD20 value: the AR- group (n = 15) had a methacholine PD20 greater than 24 micromol; the AR+ group (n = 15) had a methacholine PD20 ranging between 2.2 and 19.6 micromol. In the AS group, methacholine PD20 ranged between 0.42 and 2.6 micromol. The percentage of eosinophils and metachromatic cells (alcian blue-positive) was assessed in sputum by light microscopy. Tryptase-positive cells and EG2+ cells were identified by immunocytochemistry with the mouse anti-human mast cell-tryptase monoclonal antibody and the monoclonal anti-eosinophil cationic protein antibody. RESULTS: We found that the number of eosinophils in the AS group was greater than that in the AR+ group (p < 0.05) and in the AR- group (p < 0.01). Moreover, the eosinophil count was lower in the AR- group compared with the AR+ group (p < 0.05). Similarly, the number of EG2+ cells was greater in the AS group than in the AR group (p < 0.02) and the AR- group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the EG2+ cell count was lower in the AR- group than in the AR+ group (p < 0.05). The number of mast cells and basophils in the AS group was greater than that in the AR group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Mast cells in sputum were tryptase-positive. Basophils were present in sputum from 23% of patients with AR and 53% of patients with asthma. There was a significant correlation between methacholine PD20 and eosinophils (p < 0.005) and mast cells (p < 0.02) but not with basophils in those patients showing a measurable methacholine PD20 (AR+ and AS groups). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory cells are present not only in the airways of patients with asthma but also in airways of patients with seasonal AR, even outside natural exposure. Moreover, we provide evidence for the presence of basophils in sputum of patients with asthma even during clinical remission. The presence of bronchial responsiveness is associated with an increase in the number of eosinophils and metachromatic cells. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that eosinophils, as well as mast cells, contribute to bronchial responsiveness not only in AS but also in seasonal AR.

Adult↗

Phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 by IL-3 is associated with increased free arachidonic acid generation and leukotriene C4 release in human basophils.

BACKGROUND: Human basophils secrete leukotriene C4 (LTC4) in response to various stimuli, and a short treatment with IL-3 enhances LTC4 release, although IL-3 alone does not induce LTC4 release. However, the mechanism of this priming effect of IL-3 for LTC4 generation remains unknown in human basophils. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to explore the mechanisms by which short treatments with IL-3 enhance stimulated secretion of LTC4, with a focus on the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). METHODS: The phosphorylation state of cPLA2 in human basophils was examined by its shift in electrophoretic mobility as detected by Western blotting. Free arachidonic acid (AA) and LTC4 were measured by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry and LTC4-specific RIA, respectively. RESULT: Human basophils expressed cPLA2. IL-3, as well as the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, caused a shift in the electrophoretic mobility of cPLA2, which indicated phosphorylation of cPLA2 and therefore its activation. Ionomycin at a concentration of 0.1 microg/mL was used to induce a modest elevation of cytosolic calcium response ([Ca2+]I), no apparent cPLA2 phosphorylation, and little free AA and LTC4 generation. Pretreatment with IL-3 (1 to 10 ng/mL) markedly enhanced ionomycin (0.1 microg/mL)-mediated AA and LTC4 generation. The concentration dependence of cPLA2 phosphorylation by IL-3 and its effects on free AA and LTC4 generation were similar. The selective PKC inhibitors, bis-indolylmaleimide II and Ro-31-8220 inhibited the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-mediated cPLA2 electrophoretic mobility shift, but not the IL-3-mediated shift, suggesting that the IL-3 effect is PKC independent. Both the anaphylatoxin split product of the C component C5 (C5a) and f-Met-Leu-Phe induced PKC-independent cPLA2 phosphorylation with a similar time course most notable for the absence of observable changes in cPLA2 phosphorylation before 30 seconds. These results suggested an explanation for the absence of free AA generation by C5a. When [Ca2+]I was elevated in response to C5a, there was no phosphorylation of cPLA2, and by the time cPLA2 became phosphorylated, [Ca2+]I had returned to resting levels. Treatment with IL-3 preconditioned the cPLA2 by causing its phosphorylation so that the transient [Ca2+]I response, which followed stimulation by C5a, could induce the generation of free AA and LTC4. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that the effect of IL-3 for free AA generation and LTC4 release might be due to induction of cPLA2 phosphorylation. The studies demonstrated a need for synchronous cPLA2 phosphorylation and elevations in [Ca2+]I.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Basophil sensitisation in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

The degranulation of basophils in the presence of a specific allergen (human basophil degranulation test, HBDT) is an index of IgE-dependent cellular response and it was tested in 46 unselected idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) patients with or without atopic manifestations. 28 of the INS patients had "minimal change" nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) and 18 had focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS). 29 patients with different types of primary glomerulonephritis (GN) and 11 healthy donors acted as controls. The HBDT was positive in 16 (57%) of 28 MCNS and in 14 (77.8%) of 18 FSGS patients. Only 5 (17.2%) of 29 GN and 1 (6%) of 11 blood donors exhibited positive HBDT. House dust was the commonest allergen to which MCNS and FSGS subjects were sensitive, whereas sensitivity to grass pollen, moulds, and animal danders was less common. 8 MCNS and 8 FSGS subjects were sensitive to house dust plus another allergen. 4 MCNS and 1 FSGS patient had fewer than 5/microliters basophils; 4 of these 5 patients were having a relapse of their nephrotic syndrome at the time. The demonstration of enhanced IgE-basophil sensitisation in INS patients suggests than an anaphylactic process plays a part in the pathogenesis of INS.

Adolescent↗

Expression of eosinophil peroxidase in the immature basophil cell line KU812-F.

Although peroxidase activity in basophils can be detected by optical and ultrastructural cytochemistry, its characteristics remain to be determined. We have demonstrated the characteristics of peroxidase activity induced in the immature basophil cell line, KU812-F. Ultrastructurally, peroxidase activity was detected in granules as well as in the perinuclear space and endoplasmic reticulum. Immunocytochemistry revealed that KU812-F cells were stained by anti-eosinophil peroxidase antibodies, and eosinophil peroxidase mRNA, not myeloperoxidase, was detected in the cells using Northern hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Eosinophil peroxidase can be one of the molecules shared with eosinophils and basophils. The biological function of eosinophil peroxidase detected in basophils remains uncertain.

Basophils↗

Antiallergic tea catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)-gallate, suppresses FcepsilonRI expression in human basophilic KU812 cells.

We previously found that the O-methylated derivative of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCg), (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)-gallate (EGCG' '3Me), has potent antiallergic activity. The high-affinity IgE receptor, FcepsilonRI, is found at high levels on basophils and mast cells and plays a key role in a series of acute and chronic human allergic reactions. To understand the mechanism of action for the antiallergic EGCG' '3Me, the effect of EGCG' '3Me on the cell surface expression of FcepsilonRI in human basophilic KU812 cells was examined. Flow cytometric analysis showed that EGCG' '3Me was able to decrease the cell surface expression of FcepsilonRI. Moreover, immunoblot analysis revealed that total cellular expression of the FcepsilonRI alpha chain decreased upon treatment with EGCG' '3Me. FcepsilonRI is a tetrameric structure comprising one alpha chain, one beta chain, and two gamma chains. The level of mRNA production of each subunit in KU812 cells was investigated. EGCG' '3Me reduced FcepsilonRI alpha and gamma mRNA levels. The cross-linkage of FcepsilonRI causes the activation of basophils, which leads to the secretion of inflammatory mediators including histamine. EGCG' '3Me treatment inhibited the FcepsilonRI cross-linking-induced histamine release. These results suggested that EGCG' '3Me can negatively regulate basophil activation through the suppression of FcepsilonRI expression.

Anti-Allergic Agents↗

Basophil histamine release, IgE, eosinophil counts, ECP, and EPX are related to the severity of symptoms in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Serum specific IgE, basophil histamine release, and blood eosinophil parameters are associated with allergic rhinitis, but investigations of the relationship to the severity of allergic symptoms are few and conflicting. Our study aimed to investigate the seasonal changes in the following laboratory tests: specific IgE, basophil histamine release, eosinophil counts, and serum and plasma eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX), and to analyze, in detail, the relationship of each individual test to the severity of symptoms in rhinitis patients allergic to both birch and grass pollen. METHODS: The above tests were performed on blood samples obtained from 49 allergic rhinitis patients during the birch-pollen season, during the grass-pollen season, and after the seasons. Symptom-medication diaries were filled in during both pollen seasons. We used partial least square (PLS) analysis to establish an optimal statistical link between the symptom score and medication and the laboratory tests, in an investigator-independent way. RESULTS: Increases in specific IgE, basophil histamine release, eosinophil counts, serum ECP and EPX, and plasma EPX were observed from the birch-pollen season to the grass-pollen season, followed by a decrease from the grass-pollen season to after the pollen seasons, except for the specific IgE. No seasonal changes in plasma ECP and total IgE were seen. The PLS analysis found a relationship between symptom score and medication and the aggregate laboratory tests (F-test value 40.2, correlation 0.34 for the cumulative relation). However, the variation in laboratory tests could explain only half of the total variation in symptoms and less than a quarter of the total variation in medication. The symptom score and, to a minor degree, medication were especially correlated with the basophil histamine-release results, with a decreasing relevance of specific IgE, eosinophil counts, total IgE, serum and plasma EPX, and serum ECP. Plasma ECP was not related to the symptom score and medication. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship between the severity of allergic rhinitis and various allergic inflammatory markers was found but could account for only a minor part of the variation in the patients' evaluation of their disease.

Adolescent↗

Influence of bronchial allergen challenge on histamine release by human basophils.

BACKGROUND: Basophils can be primed by cytokines such as interleukin (IL) -3, IL-5 or granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). It has been described that the concentrations of these cytokines are enhanced at sites of allergic inflammation as well as systemic in allergic asthma. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the priming status of basophils as detected by thapsigargin-induced histamine release during bronchial allergen challenge. METHODS: Ten subjects allergic to house dust mite were challenged via an aerosol delivery system. Spontaneous leucocyte histamine release as well as histamine release induced by various stimuli was measured in vitro at several time points. In addition, lung function parameters, serum IL-5 and blood eosinophil counts were evaluated. RESULTS: We found no effect of bronchial allergen challenge upon spontaneous leucocyte histamine release, nor upon histamine release induced by anti-immunoglobulin (Ig) E, house dust mite extract, C5a, fMLP, IL-3, PMA+ thapsigargin or IL-3+ thapsigargin. However, the priming status of basophils as measured by thapsigargin-induced histamine release was enhanced at 24 h after bronchial allergen challenge. Analysis of the individual data showed a heterogeneous initial response (30 min, 6 h) followed by a predominant increase at 24 h after allergen challenge. This increase in the thapsigargin-induced histamine release correlated with the increase in serum IL-5 levels at 24 h after allergen challenge. CONCLUSION: The priming status of human basophils as measured by thapsigargin-induced histamine release is enhanced 24 h after allergen challenge.

Allergens↗

Flow cytometric basophil activation test by detection of CD63 expression in patients with immediate-type reactions to betalactam antibiotics.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we used flow cytometry to determine the percentage of activated basophils that expressed the CD63 marker after in vitro stimulation by different betalactam antibiotics. The diagnostic reliability of the technique was assessed, as well as its correlation with specific IgE. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with clinical allergy to betalactam antibiotics and presenting positive skin tests to at least one of the allergens (minor determinant mixture (MDM), benzylpenicilloyl-polylysine (PPL), penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cephalosporins) were tested. Thirty subjects non-allergic to betalactams were also studied as controls. The flow assay stimulation test (FAST) uses flow cytometry to determine the percentage of basophils that express CD63 as an activation marker after in vitro stimulation with allergen. Double labelling with monoclonal antibodies anti-CD63-PE and anti-IgE FITC was used. RESULTS: The allergic patients show a statistically greater number of activated basophils than the control subjects, after the incubation of cells with all the betalactams at various concentrations. The sensitivity of the technique is 50%, the specificity 93.3%, the likelihood ratio for a positive value 7.46 and the likelihood ratio for a negative value 0.54. In spite of having a greater sensitivity (37.9%) and specificity (86.7%) than CAP, differences between sensitivity and specificities of both techniques (CAP and FAST) do not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The basophil activation test is a particularly useful technique in the diagnosis of patients with IgE-mediated allergy to betalactams and allows the identification of 50% of patients. Used in conjunction with CAP, it allows the identification of 65.5% of such patients.

Adult↗

Chronic urticaria serum induces histamine release, leukotriene production, and basophil CD63 surface expression--inhibitory effects ofanti-inflammatory drugs.

BACKGROUND: A role of potential histamine-releasing autoantibodies against the high-affinity IgE receptor on the surface of basophils and mast cells is discussed in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria. This so-called autoimmune urticaria may be diagnosed by a positive intracutaneous autologous serum skin test, which is found in about 30% of patients with chronic urticaria. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was, first, to compare the effect of complement-inactivated sera of 20 patients with chronic urticaria and positive autologous serum skin tests, 20 patients with chronic urticaria and negative skin tests, and 20 control subjects without chronic urticaria (10 atopic and 10 nonatopic subjects) and, second, to analyze the effect of anti-inflammatory drugs on the serum activity. METHODS: The following assay systems were used: release of histamine in whole blood samples, surface expression of the activation marker CD63 on basophils, and sulfidoleukotriene de novo production in leukocyte suspensions. Whole blood, basophils, and leukocyte suspensions were obtained from a nonatopic and an atopic donor. RESULTS: Sera of patients with autologous serum skin test positive chronic urticaria resulted not only in significantly increased histamine release compared with skin test-negative chronic urticaria sera but also in a significant higher induction of basophil CD63 surface expression and sulfidoleukotriene de novo production. However, serum activity was neither characteristic for chronic urticaria nor for chronic urticaria with a positive autologous serum skin test. Preincubation with dapsone, chloroquine, and lidocaine dose dependently resulted in a significant reduction of all histamine release, CD63 expression, and sulfidoleukotriene production. In addition, mizolastine was able to inhibit serum-induced sulfidoleukotriene production. CONCLUSION: Further studies investigating the in vivo effect of these drugs will have to clarify their role in the management of the subset of patients with chronic urticaria demonstrating serum-induced inflammatory effects.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

The cromolyn binding protein constitutes the Ca2+ channel of basophils opening upon immunological stimulus.

Ca2+ channel opening has been proposed to be induced in the plasma membrane of mast cells and basophils upon crosslinking their Fc epsilon receptors. Here we report direct conductance measurements on planar lipid bilayers containing membrane components of rat basophils (RBL-2H3 line). These studies identify the Ca2+ channel-forming membrane component as the cromolyn binding protein [CBP, in which cromolyn is the anti-asthmatic drug 1,3-bis(2-carboxy-chromon-5-yloxy)-2-hydroxypropane]. Planar membranes were first formed from lipid vesicles containing unfractionated plasma membrane components prepared from RBL-2H3 cells. Conductance of these bilayers was induced by crosslinking IgE bound to the Fc epsilon receptors of this membrane by a specific polyvalent antigen. Channel conductance in the presence of only Ca2+ ions (2 mM) was 2 pS. When only sodium ions were present (150 mM), conductance was 10 pS. Upon addition of Ca2+ (2 mM) to the Na+ ion-containing solution, the conductance decreased from 10 pS to that of the Ca2+ ions--namely, 2pS. Open channel times were in the range of several hundred milliseconds. Conductance amplitudes and time characteristics were independent of the applied voltage. As our earlier studies revealed the essential role of the CBP in Ca2+ conductance of basophil membranes, we formed planar bilayers containing this isolated protein alone. Crosslinking of the CBP by a monoclonal antibody specific to it resulted in the appearance of channel conductances. All characteristics of these channels exhibited great similarity to those observed in planar membranes containing unfractionated RBL-2H3 membrane components. Moreover, in the latter membranes, the monoclonal anti-CBP antibody induced channel conductances that display an even closer similarity to those observed in membranes containing CBP alone. Conductances of both types of planar membranes, irrespective of the mode of activation used, were inhibited by cromolyn. Furthermore, the conductance induced in RBL membranes by polyvalent antigen was inhibited on dissociation of the crosslinked aggregates by a monovalent hapten. The detailed resemblance in channel behavior observed in experiments with the two types of planar bilayers provides compelling evidence that the CBP is the essential and sufficient component forming Ca2+ channels in basophil plasma membranes.

2,4-Dinitrophenol↗

Fc epsilon RI-ligation induces association of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins with Src homology 2 domains of phospholipase C gamma 1 in RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia cells.

Stimulation of the IgE receptors on mast cells and basophils activates protein tyrosine kinases and phospholipases leading to histamine release. However, the mechanism by which protein tyrosine kinases regulate the phospholipases is not clearly defined yet. In this study, we examined the possibility that phospholipase C gamma 1 associates with protein tyrosine kinases and tyrosine phosphorylated molecules as a result of activation of RBL-2H3 cells, and that this association involves the Src homology 2 domains of phospholipase C gamma 1. An increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ level and tyrosine phosphorylations of proteins, including 72 and 40 kDa proteins, were observed after the cross-linking of the IgE receptors on RBL-2H3 rat basophilic cells by dinitrophenyl-specific IgE and dinitrophenyl-conjugated human serum albumin. Immunoprecipitation and coprecipitation experiments were performed to determine if the activation of protein tyrosine kinases is linked to the activation of phospholipase C gamma 1 via its SH2 domains. Tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C gamma 1 was observed in 1 min following IgE receptor stimulation. several proteins (72, 50, 40, and 33 kDa) were identified to be tyrosine phosphorylated and specifically associated with phospholipase C gamma 1 by its Src homology 2 domains. In addition, the coprecipitated complex contains the tyrosine kinase activity which phosphorylates 72, 40, and 33 kDa proteins in the complex. In conclusion, these studies establish that tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins of 72, 40, and 33 kDa associate with phospholipase C gamma 1 via its SH2 domains following IgE receptor stimulation of RBL-2H3 basophilic cells, implying that protein tyrosine kinases may tyrosine-phosphorylate and recruit signaling proteins around the phospholipase C gamma 1 and that phospholipase C gamma 1 activation induces calcium mobilization, PKC activation and degranulation in mast cells or basophils.

Animals↗

Monocyte chemotactic and activating factor is a potent histamine-releasing factor for human basophils.

Recombinant monocyte chemotactic-activating factor (MCAF) has been shown to induce histamine release from human basophils with a dose response between 10(-9) and 10(-6) M. The peak of activity was reached at 10(-7) M. Histamine release by MCAF was rapid with an initial rate comparable with histamine release by an optimal dose of anti-IgE. MCAF led to peak histamine release within 1 min. 80% of the subjects tested were responsive to MCAF or anti-IgE, while all were responsive to FMLP. The percentage histamine release by MCAF was, however, less than that seen with anti-IgE or FMLP, but this was attributable to a lesser percent release in nonatopic subjects; atopic subjects responded similarly to all three agonists. MCAF was also shown to activate highly purified human basophils more readily than mixed leukocytes, and its activity was inhibited by a polyclonal rabbit antibody. At a suboptimal concentration (2.5 x 10(-9) M), MCAF was unable to prime the basophil to histamine release by other secretagogues. However, interleukin 3 (IL-3) and IL-5 could each prime basophils for MCAF-induced secretion. Therefore, our results suggest that MCAF may be a major contributor to the histamine-releasing activity seen in peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatants that has been designated histamine releasing factor(s).

Allergens↗

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha activates basophils and mast cells.

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP) is a recently cloned cytokine that causes neutrophilic infiltration and induces an inflammatory response. We studied the effect of MIP-1 alpha on histamine secretion from basophils and mast cells. Leukocytes from allergic and normal subjects were studied. MIP-1 alpha caused dose-dependent release of histamine from basophils of 14 of 20 allergic donors at concentrations of 10(-9)-10(-7) M, and the mean release was 13.50 +/- 2.9% at the highest concentration. In the same experiments, the mean histamine release by anti-immunoglobulin E and monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF) (10(-7) M) was 32 +/- 7% and 31 +/- 3%, respectively. The cells from only 2 of 10 normal subjects released histamine in response to MIP-1 alpha. Histamine release by MIP-1 alpha was rapid, and almost complete within the first 3 min. MIP-1 alpha-induced degranulation was a calcium-dependent noncytotoxic process. MIP-1 alpha showed chemotactic activity for purified basophils that was comparable to MCAF. Both MIP-1 alpha and MCAF at 10(-7) M concentration elicited a chemotactic response that was 40% of the maximal response to C5a (1 microgram/ml). Murine MIP-1 alpha induced histamine release from mouse peritoneal mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, we have established that MIP-1 alpha is a novel activator of basophils and mast cells.

Animals↗

Basophils initiate IL-4 production during a memory T-dependent response.

Experiments were performed to characterize and identify the cellular sources of the secondary interleukin (IL)-4 response to a T cell-dependent antigen. Mice were primed by immunization with goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin (Ig)D antibody (GaMD), which stimulates naive CD4+ T cells to secrete IL-4 in 3-4 d. When challenged with goat serum 14 d after immunization, GaMD-primed mice generated an IL-4 response that exceeded the primary response by approximately 100-fold, started in <2 h, and lasted for 4 d. Studies with 4get mice, in which cells with an accessible Il4 gene express a green fluorescent protein (GFP), revealed CD4+ memory T cells, natural killer T cells, basophils, mast cells, and eosinophils as possible rapid producers of IL-4. GFP(+)CD4+ T cells and basophils expanded more in the spleen than the other cell types during the primary response to GaMD. Quantitation of in vivo IL-4 production by the in vivo cytokine capture assay after individual cell types were selectively stimulated or deleted demonstrated that basophils and memory CD4+ T cells account for most of the secondary IL-4 response, with basophils initiating that response through IgE/FcepsilonRI-mediated signaling but secreting IL-4 for <4 h and memory T cells secreting IL-4 within 4 h and continuing to secrete this cytokine for 4 d.

Animals↗