Multifaceted roles of basophils in health and disease

Abstract

Until recently, basophils had often been neglected in immunologic studies because of their minority status among immune cells or confused with tissue-resident mast cells because of some phenotypic similarities between them in spite of different anatomic localization. It is now appreciated that basophils and mast cells are distinct cell lineages and that basophils play important and nonredundant roles distinct from those played by mast cells. On the one hand, basophils contribute beneficially to protective immunity, particularly against parasitic infections. On the other hand, basophils are involved in the development of various disorders, including allergy and autoimmune disease. Basophils interact with other immune cells and nonhematopoietic cells through cell-to-cell contact or basophil-derived factors, such as cytokines and proteases, contributing to the regulation of immune and allergic responses. In this review article we highlight recent advances in our understanding of basophil pathophysiology in human subjects and animal models by consolidating research findings reported during the past 5 years. Further studies on basophils and their products will help identify suitable targets for novel therapeutics in allergy and effective vaccines against parasitic infection.

Chronic prurigo: A retrospective study of 168 cases

“…These observations suggest that in addition to mast cells, basophils are more deeply involved in the pathogenesis of PCM than PN. Like mast cells, upon stimulation, basophils release various immune mediators, such as histamines, proteases and cytokines . In mice, basophil‐derived proteases induce microvascular permeability and the infiltration of leukocytes, such as basophils, eosinophils and macrophages into the skin .…”

“…Like mast cells, upon stimulation, basophils release various immune mediators, such as histamines, proteases and cytokines. 23 In mice, basophilderived proteases induce microvascular permeability and the infiltration of leukocytes, such as basophils, eosinophils and macrophages into the skin. 24 Basophils release IL-4, which acts on fibroblasts 25 and endothelial cells, 26 thus leading to eosinophilic skin inflammation in mice.…”

Pruritus in ordinary scabies: IL‐31 from macrophages induced by overexpression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and periostin

“…However, it can be assumed that proteases from scabies mites stimulate epidermal keratinocytes to express TSLP through its receptor, protease‐activated receptor type 2 (PAR‐2), as observed in TSLP expression induced by house dust mite allergens in human skin . TSLP activates CCR4(+) Th2 cells and basophils; these cells are capable of producing Th2‐related cytokines IL‐4/13 that promote periostin secretion from fibroblasts . Thus, the protease‐TSLP‐periostin axis might be an essential pathway for IL‐31 generation from M2 macrophages.…”

Efficacy of anti‐immunoglobulin E therapy in patients with prurigo: A pilot study

“…These findings, together with our observations, indicate that basophils are likely to initiate inflammation directly or indirectly via IgE in PCM. Like mast cells, basophils release various mediators, such as histamines, proteases, arachidonic acids, and cytokines, upon stimulation . In mice, basophil‐derived proteases induce microvascular permeability and infiltration of leukocytes, such as basophils, eosinophils, and macrophages into the skin .…”

“…Like mast cells, basophils release various mediators, such as histamines, proteases, arachidonic acids, and cytokines, upon stimulation. 14 In mice, basophil-derived proteases induce microvascular permeability and infiltration of leukocytes, such as basophils, eosinophils, and macrophages into the skin. 15 Basophils also release IL-4, which acts on fibroblasts 16 and endothelial cells, 17 thus leading to eosinophilic skin inflammation in mice, which is also frequently observed in PCM.…”