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Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Basophil Activation Test for Allergy Diagnosis
Published on: May 31, 2021
Interleukin 2 regulates the activation of human basophils
Shuli Zhao1, Yangyang Tang2, Li Hong3
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Central Laboratory of Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract:
Basophils are important effector cells in allergic disorders and anti-parasitic immune response. A number of activators including interleukin 3 (IL-3) and IgE have been identified in the regulation of human basophils expressing mediators such as histamine and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and cytokines, including IL-4 and IL-13. Human basophils express high levels of IL-2 receptors. However, the function of the IL-2 pathway in basophils remains unknown. Here, we identified that IL-2 induced the activation of human basophils in vitro to express a variety of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF and CCL-17. This effect by IL-2 is confirmed by an upstream regulator analysis using Ingenuity pathway analysis. Of note, one of the top regulated cytokines, IL-5, was for the first time identified to be induced by IL-2 in human basophils rather than IL-3 or anti-IgE. Immunofluorescence analysis of skin specimens from bullous pemphigoid and eczema revealed that infiltrating basophils in skin lesions widely expressed IL-5 and GM-CSF. Together, our findings reveal IL-2 as a novel regulator of human basophils. This adds a new layer to support the importance of basophils in allergic disorders.
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