title: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) containing complexes induce IL-4 production in human basophils: effect on Th1-Th2 balance in malaria.
abstract: Human basophils are potent producers of IL-4 following cross-linking of the high affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon R1). Elevated levels of both total- and malaria-specific IgE have been demonstrated in sera from people living in malaria-endemic regions. Whether or not these IgE antibodies are pathogenic is unclear. Serum containing high IgE levels obtained from malaria individuals was used to establish whether IgE-immune complexes could induce IL-4 production in human basophils. The basophils, obtained from healthy donors, were primed with 10 ng/ml of IL-3 before being transferred to wells containing goat anti-human IgE or human antimalarial IgE-immune complexes. IL-4 was induced upon stimulation of human basophils by plate bound IgE-containing immune complexes. Basophils treated similarly but with goat anti-IgG/human antimalarial- IgG-immune complexes did not secrete IL-4. Similarly mononuclear cells depleted of basophils in parallel culture did not secrete IL-4. Thus, human basophils may contribute to the polarization of T-helper type 2 in the (Th2) responses in malaria hosts via IgE-induced IL-4 production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Stockholm University, Sv Arrheniusv. 16F5, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nyakeriga
authors.forename: Marita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Troye-Blomberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bereczky
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Perlmann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perlmann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: ElGhazali
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E