Basophils are the rarest leukocytes in human blood, but they are now recognized as one of the most important immunomodulatory as well as effector cells in allergic inflammation. Leptin, a member of the IL-6 cytokine family, has metabolic effects as an adipokine, and it is also known to participate in the pathogenesis of inflammatory reactions. Because there is an epidemiologic relationship between obesity and allergy, we examined whether basophil functions are modified by leptin. We found that human basophils express leptin receptor (LepR) at both the mRNA and surface protein levels, which were upregulated by IL-33. Leptin exerted strong effects on multiple basophil functions. It induced a strong migratory response in human basophils, similar in potency to that of basophil-active chemokines. Also, leptin enhanced survival of human basophils, although its potency was less than that of IL-3. Additionally, CD63, a basophil activation marker expressed on the cell surface, was upregulated by leptin, an effect that was neutralized by blocking of LepR. Assessments of basophil degranulation and cytokine synthesis found that leptin showed a strong priming effect on human basophil degranulation in response to FcεRI aggregation and induced Th2, but not Th1, cytokine production by the cells. In summary, the present findings indicate that leptin may be a key molecule mediating the effects of adipocytes on inflammatory cells such as basophils by binding to LepR and activating the cellular functions, presumably exacerbating allergic inflammation.

Background: Basophils are thought to play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of allergic reactions, but their roles in inflammation associated with systemic abnormalities such as metabolic disorders remain largely unknown. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are potentially important substances produced in high-glucose disease conditions. In this in vitro study, we investigated whether the biological functions of human basophils can be influenced by AGEs. Methods: We analyzed the effects of AGEs on various functions and markers of human basophils, including CD11b expression, apoptosis, degranulation, and cytokine production. Results: Flow cytometric analysis indicated that the level of the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) on the surface of freshly isolated basophils was very low but was clearly upregulated by IL-3. Apoptosis of basophils was induced by high concentrations of glycated albumin. Although glycated albumin failed to affect the level of surface CD11b expression or to trigger degranulation or production of IL-4 and IL-13 in basophils, it dose-dependently induced IL-6 and IL-8 secretion. Conclusions: AGEs seem to act on human basophils; they suppress the cells’ longevity but elicit secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Through these biological changes, basophils might play some roles in inflammatory conditions associated with metabolic disorders presenting elevated levels of AGEs.

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Background Several miRNAs are now known to have clear connections to the pathogenesis of asthma. The present study focused on the potential role of miR-3934 during asthma development. Methods The basophils was isolated from 50 asthmatic patients and 50 health controls. The expression level of miR-3934 was examined by RT-qPCR and the expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) was detected by western blot. In addition, the analysis of apoptotic basophils was performed by flow cytometry; the expression level of inflammatory cytokines was detected by ELISA kits; and several important proteins in TGF-β/Smad signaling were examined by western blot. Results miR-3934 was down-regulated in the basophils of asthmatic patients. The expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and IL-33 was enhanced in basophils from asthmatic patients, and this effect was partially reversed by transfection of miR-3934 mimics. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristics analysis showed that miR-3934 levels can be used to distinguish asthma patients from healthy individuals. miR-3934 partially inhibited advanced glycation end products-induced increases in basophil apoptosis by suppressing expression of RAGE. Conclusion Our results indicate that miR-3934 acts to mitigate the pathogenesis of asthma by targeting RAGE and suppressing TGF-β/Smad signaling.