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Basophil Activation Test for Investigation of IgE-Mediated Mechanisms in Drug Hypersensitivity
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Properties of human basophils isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting
H J Degenhart1, J W van der Maarel, H Jongkind
1Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) effectively isolates basophils from small blood volumes. Asthmatic children
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Basophils play a key role in allergic inflammation.
- Accurate basophil isolation is crucial for studying their function.
- Asthma involves complex immune responses, including basophil activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for isolating basophils from limited blood samples.
- To compare basophil function in children with asthma versus healthy children.
Main Methods:
- Basophil isolation using FACS from small blood volumes.
- Measurement of total histamine content in purified basophils.
- Assessment of IgE receptor-mediated and ionophore-induced histamine release.
Main Results:
- FACS achieved 84% purity and 20% recovery of basophils.
- Purified basophils from asthmatic children showed significantly higher histamine release upon IgE receptor activation compared to healthy children.
- No significant differences in histamine release were observed with ionophore A23187 stimulation.
Conclusions:
- FACS is a viable method for basophil isolation from small blood volumes.
- Basophils from children with asthma exhibit heightened reactivity to IgE receptor stimulation.
- Further research into basophil function in asthma pathogenesis is warranted.
