Morphological changes of basophils in immunological reactions--effect of sodium cromoglycate

The morphological changes in blood basophils, from patients with bronchial asthma, were studied in vitro during immunological reactions, with particular reference to interaction with anti-IgE. Anti-human IgE results in an absolute reduction in basophil numbers in buffy coat preparations as well as basophil cytoplasmic degranulation. An increase in the number of pear-shaped (A-form) basophils is also observed. Sodium cromoglycate impairs all these anti-IgE induced basophil changes, providing further insight into the mechanism of action of this compound in bronchial asthma.