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Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 1/2014

01-01-2014 | IMMUNE DEFICIENCY AND DYSREGULATION (DP HUSTON, SECTION EDITOR)

Emerging Role of Human Basophil Biology in Health and Disease

Authors: Jessica L. Cromheecke, Kathleen T. Nguyen, David P. Huston

Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Basophils have emerged in recent years as a small but potent subpopulation of leukocytes capable of bridging innate and adaptive immunity. They can be activated through IgE-dependent and IgE-independent mechanisms to release preformed mediators and to produce Th2 cytokines. In addition to their role in protective immunity to helminths, basophils are major participants in allergic reactions as diverse as anaphylaxis and immediate hypersensitivity reactions, late-phase hypersensitivity reactions, and delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Additionally, basophils have been implicated in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases such as lupus nephritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and the modulation of immune responses to bacterial infections, as well as being a feature of myelogenous leukemias. Distinct signals for activation, degranulation, transendothelial migration, and immune regulation are being defined, and demonstrate the important role of basophils in promoting a Th2 microenvironment. These mechanistic insights are driving innovative approaches for diagnostic testing and therapeutic targeting of basophils.
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Metadata
Title
Emerging Role of Human Basophil Biology in Health and Disease
Authors
Jessica L. Cromheecke
Kathleen T. Nguyen
David P. Huston
Publication date
01-01-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1529-7322
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6315
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-013-0408-2

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