Cl. Kepley et al., Multiple defects in Fc epsilon RI signaling in Syk-deficient nonreleaser basophils and IL-3-Induced recovery of Syk expression and secretion, J IMMUNOL, 165(10), 2000, pp. 5913-5920
Human basophils respond to Ag-induced cross-linking of their high affinity
IgE receptor, Fc epsilon RI, by releasing histamine and other mediators Fro
m granules, producing IL-4 and other cytokines and, as shown in this study,
by Forming membrane ruffles and showing increased very late Ag-4 (VLA-4)-m
ediated adhesion to VCAM-1-expressing target cells. We have identified five
blood donors whose basophils lack detectable levels of the Fc epsilon RI-a
ssociated protein tyrosine kinase, Syk. Despite showing no obvious ultrastr
uctural differences from normal basophils, nonreleaser basophils fail to fo
rm membrane ruffles, to show increased VLA-4-mediated adhesive activity, or
to produce IL-4 in response to Fc epsilon RI cross-linking. Although Syk p
rotein levels are suppressed in basophils from all five donors, Syk mRNA is
consistently present. Furthermore, culturing nonreleaser basophils for 4 d
ays with IL-3 restores Syk protein expression and Fc epsilon RI-mediated hi
stamine release. Understanding the reversible suppression of Syk protein ex
pression in nonreleaser basophils, and learning to replicate this property
in patients with allergic inflammation could be a powerful and specific way
to limit symptomatic disease.