Identification of Basophil Granulocytes as a Site of Allergic Histamine Release

Abstract

Human blood was fractionated by differential centrifugation on a Hypaque-Ficoll layer, followed by chromatography on a glass-bead column. Analysis of subfractions of leukocytes thus obtained indicated that essentially all histamine in human leukocytes was associated with basophil granulocytes. Histamine release experiments from the subfractions by anti-IgE and by allergen showed that histamine release was induced by IgE-anti-IgE or allergen-IgE antibody reaction on basophil granulocytes. None of the neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes is involved in the mechanisms of histamine release. It was confirmed that anti-IgG-released histamine from leukocytes of some atopic patients. In spite of the presence of IgG on neutrophils, none of the neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes is essential for anti-IgG-induced histamine release. A minute amount of IgG was demonstrated on basophil granulocytes from both atopic and normal individuals by autoradiography, and evidence was obtained that the reaction of the basophil-bound IgG with anti-IgG is accompanied by histamine release from the cells.

Eosinophils, Basophils, and Neutrophils in Bullous Pemphigoid

“…Basophils have also been detected by Paul Ehrlich and are relatively rare cells, that represent less than 1% of peripheral blood leukocytes in humans [56]. They are characterized by a constitutive expression of FcεRI [57,58]. Basophils are important early producers of type 2 mediators such as IL-4 and IL-13, which drive inflammation and pruritus [59][60][61][62].…”

Differential Upregulation and Functional Activity of S1PR1 in Human Peripheral Blood Basophils of Atopic Patients

“…They notably contribute to the pathophysiological process in hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., allergic rhinitis [4], anaphylaxis [5]), asthma [6], contact dermatitis [7], and atopic dermatitis (AD) [8]. Classically being activated by crosslinking of IgE-antibodies bound to the high-affinity IgE-receptor (FcεRIα) [9,10], basophils release pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine [11] and leukotriene (LTC4) [12]. Additionally, they are a major source of the immunomodulation T h 2 type cytokines interleukin 4 (IL-4) [13] and IL-13 [14], as well as IL-31, which is a key player in mediating the sensation of itch [15], and are therefore a major initiator of allergic inflammation [16].…”

Skin-homing basophils and beyond

“…Subsequently, several groups have discovered that basophils in the blood are a source of histamine in the 1950s ( 1 – 3 ). However, it was not until 1972 that basophils were shown to be activated by allergens in an IgE-mediated fashion ( 4 ). Given their similarity in form and function to tissue-resident mast cells, basophils have long been considered “circulating mast cells”, although their differences and similarities are often debated.…”