Flow-Cytometric Analysis of Human Basophil Degranulation

Abstract

Human basophil degranulation responses to grass pollen and whole bee venom as allergens and to anti-IgE and anti-IgG4 as antibodies in hay fever and bee venom allergic patients were assessed, using a flow-cytometric system. Basophil degranulation concordance with skin tests and radioallergosorbent test assays reached more than 90%. These allergens and antibodies could degranulate basophils in a dose-dependent manner; there was a wide variation in the response of basophils obtained from different individuals. A significant correlation was observed between the degranulation degree by allergens and anti-IgE or by allergens and anti-IgG4, but this was not the case between serum IgE concentrations and basophil response to anti-IgE. Apparently basophil releasability upon challenge by allergens and antibodies is also an important parameter is determining the hypersensitivity degree in each subject.