Cb. Guo et al., IDENTIFICATION OF IGE-BEARING CELLS IN THE LATE-PHASE RESPONSE TO ANTIGEN IN THE LUNG AS BASOPHILS, American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology, 10(4), 1994, pp. 384-390
We have carried out studies to ascertain whether the histamine-contain
ing, IgE-bearing cells found in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
obtained during the late-phase response following subsegmental antige
n challenge of human airways are predominantly basophils or mast cells
. Four lines of evidence suggest that most are basophils: (1) The cell
s fulfill morphologic criteria for light microscopy. (2) Cell surface
markers determined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry revealed t
hat the IgE-bearing cells express the leukocyte antigens Fc gamma RII
and the beta 2 integrins, LFA-1 and Mac-1, but do not express the mast
cell-associated c-kit receptor for stem cell factor. (3) The late-pha
se histamine-containing cells in late-phase BAL fluids have the functi
onal characteristics of basophils in their secretory responses to anti
-IgE, the f-met peptide, and phorbol ester TPA. (4) The cells have a f
unctional histamine type 2 receptor, a characteristic of basophils, no
t mast cells. We conclude that basophils infiltrate the lower airways
hours after antigen exposure. These cells may be responsible for the m
ediator release observed at that time.