Human basophils and cytokines/chemokines.
Basophils comprise the smallest population in human peripheral blood leukocytes. The role of basophils in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases has long been obscure, although their accumulation and activation in tissues have suggested their potential importance. Recent advances in the field of basophil biology have indicated that cytokines and chemokines are the primary regulators of basophil functions. In addition, various functions of these cells seem differently modulated. The evidence strongly supports the notion that basophils exposed to these substances and allergens will behave as unique effector cells that presumably play proinflammatory roles in type I allergic reactions.
Yamaguchi
Masao
M
Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. myama-tky@umin.net
Koketsu
Rikiya
R
Suzukawa
Maho
M
Kawakami
Ayako
A
Iikura
Motoyasu
M
D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000166:cytology; D001491:Basophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D002470:Cell Survival; D018925:Chemokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins / Q000494:pharmacology
D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; C506536:IL33 protein, human; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins