[Regulation of the production of IgE in man]

Allergy is associated with elevated production of allergen-specific IgE antibody. Naive allergen-specific B cells undergo a series of molecular interactions before they would produce allergen-specific IgE antibody. Besides allergen recognition, specific B cells have to receive signals from cell-surface proteins and cytokines from their various cellular partners. Activated T cells express a ligand for CD40 that rescues germinal centre B cells from programmed cell death. Contact with follicular dendritic cells or other T and B cells promotes differentiation into plasma through engagement of two pairs of complementary cell-surface proteins, CD21/CD23. Among the many cytokines secreted by helper T cells, interleukin-4 is necessary for the class switch to IgE, and IL-13 also triggers switching to IgE. Then, IgE would participate to feed-back regulation of its production by acting at different levels. When bound to CD23, also known as Fc epsilon receptor type II, IgE immune complexes inhibit CD21/CD23 cell-cell interactions. When bound to Fc epsilon receptor type I on Langerhans' cells in the skin or mucosa, IgE antibody enhances allergen presentation to T cells and promotes their differentiation into type 2 helper T cells that secrete IL-4 but no interferon-gamma. Local activation of mast cells or basophils, via their Fc epsilon Receptor type I-bound IgE, would trigger secretion of various cytokines, IL-4 in particular, and expression of CD21 and CD40 ligand, which altogether could replace contact with T cells to deliver the co-stimulatory signals for localised IgE production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protein kinases C-beta and C-epsilon link the mast cell high-affinity receptor for IgE to the expression of c-fos and c-jun

In this report we identify the specific isozymes of protein kinase C (PKC) that are involved in c-fos and c-jun mRNA accumulation in the rat basophilic leukemia cell line RBL-2H3. These cells could be largely depleted of the endogenous PKC isozymes by chronic treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate followed by permeabilization of the cells with streptolysin O. The reconstitution of these cells with defined concentrations of either PKC-beta or PKC-epsilon up to 10 nM and 20 nM, respectively, induced c-fos and c-jun in a dose-dependent manner. At high concentrations of PKC-beta and -epsilon the induction of c-fos and c-jun was independent of the aggregation of the high-affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon type I receptors). In contrast, at limiting concentrations of these two PKC isozymes, 1 nM, the increase in c-fos and c-jun mRNAs was dependent on the aggregation of the Fc epsilon type I receptors. Unlike PKC-beta and -epsilon, PKC-alpha and PKC-delta failed to reconstitute c-fos and c-jun induction at any dose over the range examined. We conclude that PKC-beta and PKC-epsilon serve as a link between the cell surface receptor and gene expression.

[Effect of doxorubicin on the morphofunctional status of tissue basophils]

It was shown that doxorubicin influenced the morphofunctional state of the peritoneal, mesenteric and dermal tissue basophils which was evident from changes in the total number of the mast cells and the level of their maturity, activity and ability to respond to con A and the antigen. In the late periods after the completion of the treatment with the cytostatic the quantitative changes were slightly pronounced and the functional activity remained high for 3 months. Predisposition to allergic reactions was confirmed by positive intracutaneous tests with horse serum albumin.

Defective protein phosphorylation and Ca2+ mobilization in a low secreting variant of the rat basophilic leukemia cell line

High and low secreting variants of the rat basophilic leukemia cell line represent powerful tools to study the molecular basis of stimulus/secretion coupling via the high affinity receptor (Fc epsilon R1) complex for immunoglobulin E since an identification of the differences between these subclones may produce important information concerning the signaling pathways involved. A comparison between a variant supporting high mediator secretion (> 50%) and one with a 10-fold reduced response to antigen shows that the latter is associated with a defect in threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation of the subunits of the Fc epsilon R1 complex. The delayed onset and reduced mediator release in the low secretor facilitated a slow motion study of the early events following receptor activation. It showed that tyrosine phosphorylation of a 72-kDa protein is an early event preceding threonine and subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of the gamma-chain. This points to the activation of both protein-tyrosine kinases and protein kinase(s) C as early events in signal transduction. The retarded onset and low intensity of phosphorylation in the low secreting variant is associated with reduced levels of inositol phosphate production, and this and the lack of the Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores indicate a defect upstream of teh activation of phospholipase C.

The degradation product of the C5a anaphylatoxin C5adesarg retains basophil-activating properties

The complement cleavage product C5a is a potent agonist of different leukocyte types and also has anaphylatoxic properties through the release of mediators by basophils and tissue mast cells. C5a is very rapidly degraded by serum carboxypeptidase N which cleaves the functionally important carboxy-terminal arginine, generating C5desarg, a chemotactic agonist with little mast cell-activating ability. Here we show that natural human C5adesarg is still a trigger for basophil mediator release superior to other endogenous IgE-independent agonists such as monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-8, C3a and platelet-activating factor. On a molar basis C5adesarg is only one order of magnitude less potent and about half as efficacious as C5a at inducing basophil degranulation. Priming of basophils with either IL-3, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or nerve growth factor (NGF) (with comparable efficacies, but different potencies: IL-3 > NGF > IL-5 > GM-CSF) enhanced histamine release and conditioned the cells to produce large amounts of leukotriene C4 (LTC4), which is not generated by basophils exposed to C5adesarg alone. The efficacy of C5a and C5adesarg at inducing histamine and LTC4 release by primed basophils was similar. Thus, C5adesarg is a stable inducer of release of inflammatory mediators by human basophils, particularly in primed cells, and complement may, therefore, play a role in immediate-type hypersensitivity diseases in allergic late-phase reactions.

Differential effects of cAMP-elevating drugs on stimulus-induced cytosolic calcium changes in human basophils

Drugs that elevate cAMP levels in human basophils are known to inhibit immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated histamine release. We have examined whether cAMP-active agents inhibit the cytosolic Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, response that normally accompanies activation of basophils. As previously described, this [Ca2+]i response is biphasic, one phase dependent on internal sources of calcium and a second later phase dependent on extracellular calcium, as observed in many cell types. Forskolin and rolipram or their combination had no effect on the initial elevation of cytosolic calcium that follows stimulation with anti-IgE antibody. In contrast, the second phase of the IgE-mediated calcium response was inhibited by these agents. For IgE-mediated responses, the relative efficacy of various cAMP active agents (rolipram approximately forskolin < dibutyryl cAMP < forskolin + rolipram) for the inhibition of histamine release and the second-phase calcium response was similar and roughly paralleled the measured increase in basophil cAMP. In contrast, neither the first nor the second phase of the f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP)-induced calcium response was inhibited by any of the cAMP-active agents tested. Indeed, at low concentrations of fMLP, a combination of forskolin and rolipram caused slight enhancement of the calcium response. This result was consistent with the observations that these agents had no effect or caused slight enhancement of histamine or leukotriene released induced by fMLP. Similarly, cAMP-active agents caused no inhibition of C5a or phorbol ester (phorbol myristate acetate)-induced histamine release. These observations suggest that inhibition of the phase of the calcium response that is dependent on extracellular calcium could account for the inhibition of histamine release by these agents. However, these studies also suggested that (1) this is effect is not exerted at the level of the inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor or InsP3 metabolism and (2) the mechanisms that maintain the second-phase calcium response are possibly distinct for IgE- and fMLP-mediated reactions because cAMP-active agents inhibited the second-phase response of only one stimulus.

Anti-IgE induces the opening of non selective cation channels on human basophils

Basophils play a major role in allergic reactions-particularly in late phase reactions-by releasing histamine and other mediators of inflammation. Although transmembrane ion fluxes are thought to play an important role in the modulation of histamine release, little is known about ion pathways through the basophil membrane. We thus studied human basophils from normal subjects (n = 25 cells) with the patch-clamp method. We observed that IgE-dependent activation of human basophils led to the opening of non selective cation channels with a 20pS conductance. This was obtained when the patch pipette was applied onto the cell surface and sealed onto it in order to measure transmembrane currents on a small surface of intact basophils (cell-attached configuration). Non selective channels with the same 20pS conductance were also observed when a membrane patch was detached from basophil and its inner side placed in a Ca(2+)-containing medium (inside-out configuration). These data are a first contribution of the patch-clamp method in the understanding of ion movements in human basophils.

[Interleukin 3 (IL-3)]

Interleukin 3 (IL-3) was initially described in the supernates of cultures of viral-infected murine spleen cells, as a cytokine produced by T lymphocytes can promote differentiation of immature T lymphocytes. Later, it was found that IL-3 exhibited a striking effect on hematopoiesis. The recombinant molecule of murine and human IL-3 can promote the sustained proliferation of clones of mast cells and basophils. It also acts as a colony stimulating factor (CSF) for bone marrow cells. Although other CSFs generally stimulate specific lineages of myeloid or erythroid cells, IL-3 stimulates bone marrow to induce proliferation of a variety of clonal cell populations, including colonies of granulocytes, macrophages, megakaryocytes, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, normoblasts and erythroblasts. Thus, IL-3 is responsible for promoting proliferation of earlier lineage pluripotent stem cells, of hematopoietic cells and lymphoid cells. Recently, it is also suggested, as to its effects on lymphocytes, that IL-3 may possibly be a factor responsible for T lymphocytes to be differentiating extra-thymically.

Structure and activation dynamics of RBL-2H3 cells observed with scanning force microscopy

Surface and subsurface dynamics of Rat Basophilic Leukemia cells, a model system of stimulated secretion, were imaged using Scanning Force Microscopy (SFM) at a rate of 50-60 s/image. Cytoskeletal elements and organelles were tracked within quiescent cells and those activated after IgE receptor crosslinking. In addition, surface waves were observed moving within the plasma membrane. The structures seen in quiescent and activated cells can be correlated with those seen in electron micrographs and topographic SFM images of fixed detergent-extracted cells. Furthermore, images of the detergent-extracted nuclei reveal the presence of numerous nuclear pore complexes. High-magnification images of the nuclear pore complexes show evidence of subunit structure and exhibit dimensions consistent with those reported previously using electron microscopy. The behavior and overall change in morphology of cells observed during activation was consistent with that observed under similar conditions with Differential Interference Contrast microscopy. This study demonstrates that SFM, unlike other techniques, can be used to provide high-resolution information in both fixed and living cells.

Basophil leucocytes in responses to parasitic infection and some other stimuli in sheep

Basophil leucocytes are a significant component of the infiltrating cells in a variety of tissue reactions in guinea pigs. However, little is known about the participation of basophils in similar reactions in most other animal species. The circulating blood, skin and small intestinal mucosa of sheep were examined after they had received stimuli known to elicit basophil-rich responses in guinea pigs but relatively few basophils were found.

CC chemokines in allergic inflammation

CC chemokines are small inducible proteins that are related to interleukin 8. Recent studies have shown that several CC chemokines, MCP-1, MCP-3, RANTES and MIP-1 alpha, act on basophils and/or eosinophils via GTP-binding protein-coupled receptors. Marco Baggiolini and Clemens Dahinden discuss the involvement of CC chemokines in the recruitment and activation of the main effector cells of allergic inflammation.

Effects of interleukin-3 with or without the c-kit ligand, stem cell factor, on the survival and cytoplasmic granule formation of mouse basophils and mast cells in vitro

We assessed the ultrastructure and the cell-surface expression of receptors for immunoglobulin E (Fc epsilon R), and c-kit, the receptor for stem cell factor (SCF), in mouse basophils and mast cells present in short-term cultures of mouse bone marrow cells in interleukin-3 (IL-3) with or without SCF. Basophils did not develop increased numbers of cytoplasmic granules and underwent apoptosis in cultures containing IL-3 and SCF, whereas mast cells thrived and developed increased numbers of granules. Basophils were nearly all Fc epsilon R+ c-kit- when sorted after culture in IL-3 and SCF; most mast cells were Fc epsilon R+ c-kit+. However, a second population of Fc epsilon R+ c-kit- mast cells was present after culture in IL-3 and SCF. These c-kit receptor-negative mast cells were less mature than c-kit+ mast cells and contained significantly fewer cytoplasmic granules than the c-kit+ mast cells present in the same cultures (P < 0.001). Thus, mouse basophils express little or no c-kit receptor on their surface, nor can they survive for long periods in SCF-supplemented cultures. By contrast, mouse mast cells seem to express the Fc epsilon R early in their development, even before they express detectable c-kit receptors on their surface. IL-3 promotes cytoplasmic granule formation in immature mast cells, but even more granules are formed when c-kit receptor-positive immature mast cells are cultured in both SCF and IL-3.

Graded changes in the response of individual human basophils to stimulation: distributional behavior of early activation events

These studies examine the distribution of single-cell responses in basophil preparations in the context of four events that may be associated with early activation by anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody and the bacterial peptide fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP). In general, we measured the single-cell response distributions after challenge with a concentration of stimulus that resulted in an optimal response and compared this with the distribution that occurred after challenge with suboptimal concentrations of the same stimulus. The elevation in cytosolic calcium, as detected in Fura-2-labeled basophils, after challenge with anti-IgE or fMLP showed graded characteristics in that the distributions were unimodal under conditions of optimal or suboptimal challenge with little skewing from a normal distribution. Similarly, the up-regulation of the cell surface adhesion molecule CD11b, as determined by flow cytometry, showed graded unimodal increases after challenge with anti-IgE antibody at optimal and suboptimal concentrations. In addition, stimulation of basophils led to increased F-actin polymerization. After challenge with an optimal concentration of anti-IgE antibody, the F-actin content of basophils increased to a maximum between 10 and 15 min and returned to near prechallenge levels by 60 min. There was a close correlation between the maximum increase in F-actin content and histamine release regardless of the stimulus; anti-IgE antibody, fMLP, and phorbol ester (PMA) responses lay on the same regression line. The single-cell F-actin polymerization distributions were also unimodal and graded according to the magnitude of the histamine release response. During measurements of the calcium response under the microscope we noted that basophils underwent significant changes in morphology after challenge with any stimulus. These changes were related to both degranulation and nondegranulation events and could be quantitated by a series of image-processing algorithms, which are presented. The kinetics of the morphological change, measured as a change in cell perimeter, paralleled degranulation. Single-cell distributions of the morphologic changes were also unimodal under conditions of both optimal and suboptimal stimulation. Therefore, no evidence of all-or-nothing responses could be observed in the context of these four early activation events. In general, the response distributions resembled normal distributions at both optimal and suboptimal levels of stimulation, which indicated that single basophils responded in a graded manner.

Human basophil degranulation is not triggered by very dilute antiserum against human IgE

We have attempted to reproduce the findings of Benveniste and co-workers, who reported in 1988 that degranulation of human basophil leukocytes is triggered by very dilute (10(2)-10(120)) antiserum against IgE. The results were contrary to conventional scientific theory and were not satisfactorily explained. Following as closely as possible the methods of the original study, we can find no evidence for any periodic or polynomial change of degranulation as a function of anti-IgE dilution. Our results contain a source of variation for which we cannot account, but no aspect of the data is consistent with the previously published claims.

[The role of mast cells and basophils in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma]

Bronchial asthma has now been recognized as an inflammatory disease. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of mast cells and basophils in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Stem cell factor, a growth factor of mast cells, activates rat peritoneal mast cells and human lung mast cells to release histamine. We demonstrated the presence of basophils in lung tissues obtained from fatal asthma cases using immunohistochemical techniques. IL-3, GM-CSF, IL-5 and IGF-I enhanced basophil histamine release. These findings indicate that mast cells and basophils have important roles in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.

In vivo characterization of the anti-inflammatory effect of cyclosporin A on human basophils

We investigated whether cyclosporin A (CsA) in vivo exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting IgE- and non-IgE-dependent mediator release from human basophils. Six healthy volunteers were given oral CsA (5 mg/kg twice daily) or placebo for 5 days. Plasma CsA and basophil releasability in response to anti-IgE, FMLP, and A23187 were monitored 1 day before treatment, on alternate days during the treatment course, and 1 and 8 days after cessation of treatment. A constant plasma level of approximately 250 ng/ml CsA was obtained during CsA treatment. Basophil releasability in response to anti-IgE, FMLP, and A23187 was diminished by 20 to 60% throughout the course of CsA treatment. Placebo had no effect on basophil releasability. There was a significant correlation between plasma CsA and the decrease of histamine release induced by anti-IgE (rs = -0.66; p < 0.0005), FMLP (rs = -0.59; p < 0.001) and A23187 (rs = -0.68; p < 0.0001). In a second study, eight normal volunteers were given a single oral dose of CsA (7 mg/kg) or placebo, and plasma CsA and basophil releasability were monitored at different times thereafter. A rapid and significant reduction of histamine release induced by anti-IgE, FMLP, and A23187 paralleled a sharp increase of CsA plasma levels, which peaked at 5 h and lasted approximately 13 h. This study indicates that oral administration of CsA in normal subjects causes a rapid and significant inhibition of histamine release from basophils. This is the first evidence that in vivo administration of CsA can modulate the release of proinflammatory mediators from basophils obtained ex vivo.

Stimulation of human basophils results in homotypic aggregation. A response independent of degranulation

For a better insight into the mechanisms determining the recruitment of human basophilic granulocytes from the circulation to sites of allergic reactions, we studied the homotypic aggregation of these cells. The aggregation was studied with > 95% pure basophil suspensions obtained from peripheral blood in a double-color flow cytometric analysis. Homotypic aggregation was induced by treatment of the basophils with anti-IgE, house dust mite allergen, the chemoattractant FMLP, PMA, or IL-3. The aggregation by anti-IgE was, in part, mediated by interactions with Fc gamma R-II as indicated by 43 +/- 15% inhibition after pretreatment with CD32 antibodies. The aggregation was mediated by beta 2-integrins, as was shown by inhibition of the response by CD18 antibodies. The aggregation induced by anti-IgE, allergen, and PMA displayed comparable kinetics (t1/2 max, 3 to 4 min), in contrast to the degranulation of basophils. FMLP induced the most rapid response (t1/2max, 1.6 min). Inhibition of protein kinase C by staurosporine resulted in a strong (> 90%) inhibition of the PMA-induced aggregation, whereas the FMLP-induced aggregation was more than doubled (from 11.7 +/- 1.9 to 24.4 +/- 1.9%). Staurosporine did not affect the extent of the anti-IgE-induced aggregation, but it induced a retardation of congruent to 10 min. In most experiments, no clear correlation was found between degranulation and aggregation of human basophils. Most strikingly, IL-3 did not induce degranulation but did induce aggregation. Thus, the homotypic aggregation response of human basophils is induced by intracellular signals not necessarily leading to degranulation. This might be important in the physiologic appearance of basophils at sites of allergic late-phase responses or inflammation.

Resistance to Schistosoma mansoni in humans: influence of the IgE/IgG4 balance and IgG2 in immunity to reinfection after chemotherapy

The hypothesis of an association between human resistance to reinfection by the parasite Schistosoma mansoni and anti-larval immunoglobulin isotypes was tested by logistic regression in the presence of the explicative variables water contact, age, and sex. Of the seven isotypes tested (IgM, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, and IgE), only IgE, IgG4, and IgG2 showed an association (positive for IgE and negative for IgG2 and IgG4) with resistance to reinfection after chemotherapy. The opposite effects of IgE and IgG4 were undissociable in the analysis, indicating that these isotypes probably antagonize each other in protection. The negative association of IgG2 with resistance is consistent with the view that anti-carbohydrate antibodies may facilitate reinfection. Finally, epidemiologic and immunologic studies support the view that there is a progressive but slow development of acquired immunity in children and adolescents.

Induction of human IgE synthesis in B cells by mast cells and basophils

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is central to the induction of allergic diseases through its binding to the high-affinity receptor (Fc epsilon R1) on mast cells and basophils. Crosslinking by allergens of the bound IgE leads to the release of various inflammatory mediators. IgE production by B cells requires a physical interaction with T cells, involving a number of surface adhesion molecules, as well as the soluble factors interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 (ref. 5) produced by T cells, basophils and mast cells. Here we report that, in the presence of IL-4, mast and basophilic cell lines can provide the cell contact signals that are required for IgE synthesis. The human cell lines HMC-1 (mast) and KU812 (basophilic) both express the ligand for CD40 (CD40L) which is shown to be responsible for the IgE production. Moreover, freshly isolated purified human lung mast cells and blood basophils are also shown to express CD40L and to induce IgE production. This evidence suggests that mast cells and basophils may therefore play a key role in allergy not only by producing inflammatory mediators, but also by directly regulating IgE production independently of T cells.

Development of mast cells and basophils: processes and regulation mechanisms

Mast cells and basophils are offspring of the multipotential hematopoietic stem cell. Although mast cells sometimes are misunderstood as basophils that have invaded connective or mucosal tissue, these two kinds of basophilic cells are distinguishable by morphology and surface antigenicity. Developmental processes of mast cells and basophils are different. Basophils complete their differentiation within the bone marrow, but precursors of mast cells leave the bone marrow, invade connective or mucosal tissue, proliferate, and differentiate into mast cells. The mechanisms regulating development are different between mast cells and basophils. Both T cell-dependent and fibroblast-dependent mechanisms are involved in the development of rodent mast cells, but only the fibroblast-dependent mechanism is known for development of human mast cells and only the T cell-dependent mechanism for the development of basophils of both rodents and humans. The most important cytokine for the T cell-dependent mechanism appears to be interleukin-3, whereas for the fibroblast-dependent mechanism it appears to be the ligand for the c-kit receptor (ie, stem cell factor).

[Diagnostic possibilities in drug allergies]

Drug allergies can be subclassified into three subgroups, which differ in their pathophysiology and require different diagnostic steps: (1.) classical drug allergies, which are directed to the drug itself, a reactive compound of the drug, or some contamination of it; (2.) pseudo-allergic reactions, which are caused by non-immune mediated degranulation of mast cells and basophils, and (3.) autoimmune reactions, in which the drug elicits an immune reaction to autologous structures. A very detailed (criminalistic) history has the highest priority for clarification of a suspected drug allergy. In addition, skin tests, serological tests and the lymphocyte transformation test may be useful. It is necessary to differentiate between tests which imitate the drug elicited allergic reaction (i.e. Coombs test in drug induced hemolytic anemia) and tests which only indicate sensitization. The detection of IgG antibodies to drugs bound to various carriers (nitrocellulose, sepharose) is controversial and the meaning of a positive result is unclear. Therefore, this test cannot be recommended for the routine diagnosis of drug allergy. Special emphasis is placed on the value of the lymphocyte transformation test, which is more often positive than other test procedures and may sometimes strengthen the suspicion that a disease may be caused by a drug. Nevertheless, this test requires cautious interpretation as it may be falsely positive as well as falsely negative.

Patients with severe atopic dermatitis have activated circulating basophils

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to define the potential role of the basophil in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis by comparing basophil releasibility in patients with food allergy and either mild or severe atopic dermatitis.

METHODS

A clinical scoring system was used to differentiate patients into either a low clinical score (LCS) group, 10 patients, or a high clinical score (HCS) group, 14 patients. Basophil histamine release was measured with a radioenzymatic assay, and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) was determined with a radioimmunoassay. Histamine and LTC4 released from basophils spontaneously or after incubation with deuterium oxide, an IgE-dependent histamine-releasing factor, anti-IgE, and C5a were measured.

RESULTS

Basophils from the HCS group released more histamine than those from the LCS group when stimulated with deuterium oxide (median percent total release: 85% vs 68%, p < 0.05), with 10 and 100 ng/ml of anti-IgE (58% vs 26% and 62.5% vs 37%, both p < 0.05) and 5 and 50 ng/ml of C5a (50.5% vs 11.5, p < 0.05; 49% vs 11%, p < 0.01, respectively). The spontaneous release of LTC4 from basophils was greater in the HCS group (median release: 34 vs 3.5 pg/0.1 ml, p < 0.05). Basophils stimulated with deuterium oxide, with 100 ng/ml anti-IgE, and 50 ng/ml C5a released more LTC4 in the HCS group (111.5 vs 39 pg/0.1 ml, p < 0.05; 64.5 vs 10 pg/0.1 ml, p < 0.01; 80 vs 1 pg/0.1 ml, p < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that patients with more severe atopic dermatitis have "activated" circulating basophils in vivo and increased basophil releasibility, in particular in response to C5a. These studies may serve as markers for more severe atopic dermatitis.

Infection of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis induces normal increase of basophils in mast cell-deficient Ws/Ws rats with a small deletion at the kinase domain of c-kit

All basophils, mucosal-type mast cells (MMC) and connective tissue-type mast cells (CTMC) are derived from the multipotential hematopoietic stem cell. Mutations at the c-kit locus resulted in deficiency of MMC and CTMC in both mice and rats. To investigate the role of the c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase for production of basophils, we used white spotting/white spotting (Ws/Ws) mutant rats that have a small deletion at the tyrosine kinase domain of the c-kit gene. When Ws/Ws, nude athymic, and normal (+/+) rats were infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (NB), the number of basophils increased greater than 50-fold in the peripheral blood of Ws/Ws and +/+ rats but did not increase in that of nude rats. Blood histamine concentration increased significantly in Ws/Ws and +/+ rats but did not increase in nude rats. Immature basophils increased greater than 10-fold in the bone marrow of Ws/Ws and +/+ rats but did not increase in that of nude rats. Mature and immature basophils that developed after the NB infection were identified by electron microscopy. The present result confirms that T-cell-derived cytokines are indispensable for the augmented production of basophils and suggests that stimulation via the c-kit receptor may not be necessary for the augmented production.