Cellular immune response parameters that influence IgE sensitization.

In vitro basophil responses have long been used in mechanistic studies to help assess the human allergic diathesis, particularly during therapeutic intervention. Recent evidence points to the use of dendritic cells (DCs) in also being valuable in evaluating therapies aimed at lessening disease through immunomodulation. This review article therefore takes a look at some of the recent advances in old and new assays employing both basophils and DCs, with the added perception that the responses mediated by two cell types are insightful towards understanding immune cell mechanisms underlying allergic disease.