BACKGROUND: Recent data obtained in mouse models have initiated a controversy whether basophils are the key antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in allergy. Here, we investigate whether basophils are of importance for the presentation of allergen and the induction of T cell proliferation in allergic patients. METHODS: T cells, basophils, and APCs depleted of basophils were purified from allergic patients. Co-culture systems based on purified major allergens were established to study allergen-specific T cell responses using proliferation assays. RESULTS: Only co-cultures of T cells with APCs depleted of basophils but not with basophils proliferated in response to allergen. Even addition of IL-3 to T cell-basophil co-cultures failed to induce allergen-specific T cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate by classical in vitro proliferation assays that basophils are not key antigen-presenting cells that promote T cell proliferation in secondary immune responses to allergen in allergic patients.
BACKGROUND: Recent data obtained in mouse models have initiated a controversy whether basophils are the key antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in allergy. Here, we investigate whether basophils are of importance for the presentation of allergen and the induction of T cell proliferation in allergic patients. METHODS: T cells, basophils, and APCs depleted of basophils were purified from allergic patients. Co-culture systems based on purified major allergens were established to study allergen-specific T cell responses using proliferation assays. RESULTS: Only co-cultures of T cells with APCs depleted of basophils but not with basophils proliferated in response to allergen. Even addition of IL-3 to T cell-basophil co-cultures failed to induce allergen-specific T cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate by classical in vitro proliferation assays that basophils are not key antigen-presenting cells that promote T cell proliferation in secondary immune responses to allergen in allergic patients.
Authors: P Valent; G Schmidt; J Besemer; P Mayer; G Zenke; E Liehl; W Hinterberger; K Lechner; D Maurer; P Bettelheim Journal: Blood Date: 1989-05-15 Impact factor: 22.113
Authors: Hamida Hammad; Maud Plantinga; Kim Deswarte; Philippe Pouliot; Monique A M Willart; Mirjam Kool; Femke Muskens; Bart N Lambrecht Journal: J Exp Med Date: 2010-09-06 Impact factor: 14.307
Authors: Alexander T Phythian-Adams; Peter C Cook; Rachel J Lundie; Lucy H Jones; Katherine A Smith; Tom A Barr; Kristin Hochweller; Stephen M Anderton; Günter J Hämmerling; Rick M Maizels; Andrew S MacDonald Journal: J Exp Med Date: 2010-09-06 Impact factor: 14.307