Passive in vitro sensitization of human basophils with Dermatophagoides farinae specific IgE

Basophils from allergic or non-atopic donors were depleted for their native membrane IgE by acid treatment and then passively sensitized by Dermatophagoides farinae specific IgE containing sera. Histamine release experiments were performed with a highly purified allergen (Df 11) on native cells, acid treated cells and passively sensitized cells. In the sensitization procedure, the quantity of the basophil-bound serum IgE is dependent on the concentration of the sensitizing serum IgE and the histamine release capacity is specifically acquired. It is shown that after passive sensitization basophil membrane IgE density as well as basophil sensitivity to Df 11 in histamine release experiments depend on the ratio [Df 11 specific IgE/total IgE] in the sensitizing serum.