Circulating human basophils lack the features of professional antigen presenting cells

Sci Rep. 2013:3:1188. doi: 10.1038/srep01188. Epub 2013 Feb 1.

Abstract

Recent reports in mice demonstrate that basophils function as antigen presenting cells (APC). They express MHC class II and co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86, capture and present soluble antigens or IgE-antigen complexes and polarize Th2 responses. Therefore, we explored whether human circulating basophils possess the features of professional APC. We found that unlike dendritic cells (DC) and monocytes, steady-state circulating human basophils did not express HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. Basophils remained negative for these molecules following stimulation with soluble Asp f 1, one of the allergens of Aspergillus fumigatus; Bet v 1, the major birch allergen; TLR2-ligand or even upon IgE cross-linking. Unlike DC, Asp f 1-pulsed basophils did not promote Th2 responses as analyzed by the secretion of IL-4 in the basophil-CD4(+) T cell co-culture. Together, these results demonstrate the inability of circulating human basophils to function as professional APC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / genetics
  • Allergens / metabolism
  • Allergens / pharmacology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / drug effects
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism*
  • Antigens, Plant / genetics
  • Antigens, Plant / metabolism
  • Antigens, Plant / pharmacology
  • B7-1 Antigen / metabolism
  • B7-2 Antigen / metabolism
  • Basophils / drug effects
  • Basophils / immunology
  • Basophils / metabolism*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / pharmacology
  • HLA-DR Antigens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism
  • Monocytes / drug effects
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology

Substances

  • ASPF1 protein, Aspergillus fumigatus
  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Plant
  • B7-1 Antigen
  • B7-2 Antigen
  • Fungal Proteins
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Bet v 1 allergen, Betula
  • Interleukin-4