The basophil. Its morphology, biochemistry, motility, release reactions, recovery, and role in the inflammatory responses of IgE-mediated and cell-mediated origin.

The current state of our knowledge of basophils is reviewed. Much has recently been learned about these cells-their morphology, biochemical contents, interactions with homocytotropic antibodies, release of mediators in anaphylaxis, capacity for ingesting and releasing exogenous tracers, motility, participation in and progressive degranulation in cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions, and their recovery from degranulation. It seems unlikely that basophils exist to destroy the organism by anaphylactic shock. Nonetheless, basophil function is probably closely related to the potent chemicals stored in their cytoplasmic granules. Perhaps small amounts of these chemicals are required for homeostasis and these cells function by releasing such substances as they are needed. This hypothesis requires that basophils be capable of releasing their contents slowly and piecemeal, which apparently occurs. This hypothesis also requires that physiological, rather than pharmacological, roles be found for histamine.