CD203c-based basophil activation test in allergy diagnosis: characteristics and differences to CD63 upregulation.
BACKGROUND
The basophil activation test (BAT) based on CD203c upregulation has been validated as a reliable tool for the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergies. Nevertheless, CD203c-based BAT is hardly comparable with that of CD63-based tests, as the mechanisms of CD203c versus CD63 induction differ considerably. The aim of the present study was to identify potent influencing factors of the CD203c-based BAT and to emphasize differences between CD63 and CD203c detection.


METHODS
CD203c-based BAT was determined in 82 healthy controls and in 79 allergic patients. The effects of interleukin (IL)-3 and degranulation enhancing substances were investigated and compared with CD63 upregulation. Furthermore, the influence of different storage conditions and incubation times was evaluated and the impact of antiallergic drugs on the test results was assessed.


RESULTS
CD203c and CD63 expression was rapidly upregulated reaching a maximum after 20-30 min. Basophil CD203c upregulation assayed after storage times up to 48 h declined already after 4 h. IL-3 treatment increased CD203c and CD63 baseline levels and decreased basophil CD203c responses in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, cytochalasin B and latrunculin B did not affect CD203c responses but decreased CD63-based BAT. Finally, therapeutic concentrations of dimetindene and desloratadine did not affect CD203c upregulation.


CONCLUSIONS
CD203c-based basophil activation test should be performed preferentially within 4 h after taking the blood samples. Priming and degranulation-enhancing factors are not required for CD203c-based BAT. In contrast to skin testing, CD203c-based BAT can be performed in patients undergoing antiallergic treatment. © 2010 International Clinical Cytometry Society.
Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Center of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
Eva M
EM
Sturm
Bettina
B
Kranzelbinder
Akos
A
Heinemann
Andrea
A
Groselj-Strele
Werner
W
Aberer
Gunter J
GJ
Sturm
D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D015549:Basophil Degranulation Test / Q000379:methods*; D001491:Basophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D003571:Cytochalasin B / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D004115:Dimethindene / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D017336:Loratadine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011755:Pyrophosphatases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D060149:Tetraspanin 30; D053778:Thiazolidines / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D015854:Up-Regulation
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D015703:Antigens, CD; D001180:Arthropod Venoms; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; C554586:CD63 protein, human; C427944:ENPP3 protein, human; D007377:Interleukin-3; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D060149:Tetraspanin 30; D053778:Thiazolidines; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003571:Cytochalasin B; D004115:Dimethindene; D017336:Loratadine; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D011755:Pyrophosphatases; C121345:desloratadine; C037068:latrunculin B