Basophils in inflammation

Christian Schwartz; Joerg U Eberle; David Voehringer

doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.04.049

Basophils in inflammation

Eur J Pharmacol. 2016 May 5:778:90-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.04.049. Epub 2015 May 7.

Authors

Christian Schwartz¹, Joerg U Eberle¹, David Voehringer²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Infection Biology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
² Department of Infection Biology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: david.voehringer@uk-erlangen.de.

PMID: 25959388
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.04.049

Abstract

Basophils are functionally closely related to mast cells. Both cell types express the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) and rapidly release preformed mediator from intracellular stores upon IgE-mediated activation. However, in contrast to mast cells basophils finish their maturation in the bone marrow and have a lifespan of only 2-3 days. Basophil numbers increase in response to IL-3 or TSLP and migrate into tissues to promote type 2 immune responses. Here we review recent advances regarding the pro- and anti-inflammatory functions of basophils in murine models and human allergic inflammation of the skin, lung and intestine.

Keywords: Allergic asthma; Anaphylaxis; Atopic dermatitis; Basophils; Food allergy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Basophils / cytology*
Basophils / pathology*
Humans
Inflammation / immunology*
Organ Specificity