Functional heterogeneity in the basophil cell lineage. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • CD4(+) T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells, characterized by their expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13, are required for immunity to helminth parasites and promote the pathological inflammation associated with asthma and allergic diseases. Recent reports from a number of laboratories have indicated that basophils can influence the induction and/or effector stages of Th2 cytokine-mediated inflammation. However, the impact of basophils appears to depend on the anatomical location and nature of the infectious or inflammatory stimulus. This review highlights the factors that regulate basophil development and activation and describes known basophil effector functions. Further, we discuss the recent identification of phenotypic and functional heterogeneity within murine and human basophil populations and discuss how these findings may explain the context-dependent influence of basophils on either the propagation, regulation, or effector phases of Th2 cytokine-associated inflammation.

publication date

  • January 1, 2012

Research

keywords

  • Basophils
  • Th2 Cells

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC3675451

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84861134356

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/B978-0-12-394299-9.00005-9

PubMed ID

  • 22608258

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 115