Basophils and Mast Cells: Structure, Function, and Role in Hypersensitivity

Abstract

httroductionSeveral important discoveries of the past few decades have launched a renaissance of research into basophil and mast cell function. These include the discovery of IgE and its affinity for basophils and mast cells and the demonstration of the ability of these cells to elaborate and release not only histamine but also a variety of lowmolecular-weight mediators of immediate hypersensitivity. Moreover, the application of modern methods of tissue fixation and processing has permitted confident identification of basophils and mast cells with both the light and electron microscopes in diverse experimental and clinical situations, and has clearly implicated these cells in a variety of delayed-onset immunological phenomena where their participation had been entirely unexpected. This chapter will selectively review current knowledge regarding basophil and mast cell structure, function, and roles in hypersensitivity phenomena. We will particularly emphasize findings that implicate basophils and mast cells in immunological reactions of delayed onset, because we feel that the study of such phenomena is likely to elucidate the normal immunological functions of these cells. Whenever possible, the data presented will be derived from human studies. However, in many instances, information about human mast cells and basophils is sparse or lacking altogether. For this reason, significant conclusions derived from animal experiments are included when appropriate.

Mast cell clones: a model for the analysis of cellular maturation.

“…The relationship of mast ceils to basophils has been widely discussed (12). Basophils are bone marrow-derived granulocytes that normally circulate in the blood and, unlike mast 442 THE JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY • VOLUME 95, 1982 cells, are not ordinarily found in connective tissues.…”

Homology of the rat basophilic leukemia cell and the rat mucosal mast cell.

“…The circulating histamine-containing, IgE receptor-bearing cell characterized in humans and guinea pigs is the basophil (26,27). Several early studies failed to identify basophillike cells in mouse blood (28)(29)(30), but recent investigations have reported basophils with a few metachromatic granules in mouse blood (31,32) RMCP, rat mast cell protease.…”

“…The cultured cells depend on the T-cell lymphokine interleukin 3 for growth (23) and contain an oversulfated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, termed chondroitin sulfate E proteoglycan (24). The cultured interleukin 3-dependent mast cell and the mouse connective tissue mast cell, which contains primarily heparin proteoglycans (24), can be distinguished by differential reactivities with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (25).The circulating histamine-containing, IgE receptor-bearing cell characterized in humans and guinea pigs is the basophil (26,27). Several early studies failed to identify basophillike cells in mouse blood (28)(29)(30), but recent investigations have reported basophils with a few metachromatic granules in mouse blood (31,32) RMCP, rat mast cell protease.…”

Response of Mast Cells against Filarial Antigens from Experimentally Infected Mastomys natelensis with <i>Brugia malayi</i>

“…The relative role of various anti gens of human filarial worm provoking allergic responses is not well known. Many pathogenic mechanisms related to the development of allergic responses are both of type I and type IV variety [5], and information regarding these phenomena in filariasis is not available. In the present study it has been shown that IgE responses, as seen by the ability of serum to release histamine from mast cell after antigenic challenge, developed 4 months after infection.…”

“…The clinical manifestations range from filarial fever with lymphangitis and lymphadenitis during the acute phase to elephantiasis, hydrocele, and chyluria during the chronic phase of infection. Yet another manifestation is tropical pulmonary eosinophilia [2], These clinical symptoms are closely related to the diversity of the host immune re sponse to the parasite [3], Mast cell infiltration of various tissues and elevation of serum IgE levels are associated with many helminthic infections [4], The mast cells medi ate both immediate and delayed T cell dependent immu nological reactions [5]. Lymphatic filariasis might also be linked with the formation of parasite-specific IgE and re lease of histamine from sensitized mast cells [6], Because the role of parasite antigens in allergic reac tions of filariasis is poorly understood, in the present study we attempted to investigate the response of mast cells to wards defined filarial antigens of adult Brugia malayi un der in vitro conditions.…”