title: Basophils as antigen presenting cells.
abstract: Recent reports demonstrate that basophils act as antigen presenting cells to drive Th2 and IgE responses against protease and protein allergens and helminth parasites. Through MHC class II-dependent cognate interactions with CD4(+) T cells in the context of co-stimulatory molecules, and through secretion of IL-4, IL-13 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin, basophils drive antigen-specific Th2 responses. These results have uncovered previously unknown functions of basophils, and should aid in designing novel therapeutic strategies for asthma and allergic conditions.
authors.affiliation: INSERM, U872, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Mohan S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Maddur
authors.forename: Srini V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kaveri
authors.forename: Jagadeesh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bayry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology