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Updated: May 19, 2026
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Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis
Published on: May 31, 2021
Development of a microarray-based method to detect exposure of human basophils to IL-3
1Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States. dmacglas@jhmi.edu
Journal of Immunological Methods
|August 28, 2012
Summary
This study identifies a 51-gene signature in human basophils that changes with Interleukin-3 (IL-3) exposure. This gene profile helps understand basophil responses in allergic reactions and in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Human basophils play a key role in allergic reactions.
- Limited understanding of basophil mRNA expression profiles in relation to functional variation.
- Need for tools to probe basophil phenotypes and responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop gene transcript profiles associated with Interleukin-3 (IL-3) exposure.
- To utilize these profiles for probing human basophil phenotypes.
- To establish a molecular signature for basophil responses to IL-3.
Main Methods:
- Purification of human basophils.
- Culture of basophils with or without IL-3 for 24 hours.
- Microarray analysis to assess gene transcript expression profiles.
Main Results:
- Identified a 51-gene transcript set responsive to IL-3 (34 increased, 17 decreased).
- IL-3 induced changes were stable over time (1-3 days).
- The identified signature was consistent in freshly isolated basophils and insensitive to preparation methods.
Conclusions:
- The 51-gene signature provides a tool to probe basophil changes in vivo.
- Circulating basophils exist in a balanced state, sensitive to IL-3 variations.
- This signature can help detect early IL-3 generation following IgE-mediated stimulation.
