title: Human basophils: a unique biological instrument to detect the allergenicity of food.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Labeling of major food allergens is mandatory for the safety of allergic consumers. Although enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction, and mass spectrometry are sensitive and specific instruments to detect trace amounts of food proteins, they cannot measure the ability of food constituents to trigger activation of mast cells or basophils.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the basophil activation test as an instrument to determine the allergenic potential of trace amounts of food allergens in complex matrices. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) allergy was selected as a proof-of-concept model.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population comprised 5 severely peanut-allergic patients (3 males/2 females; median age, 12 years) all sensitized to 3 major peanut allergens (Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 3) and 5 peanut-tolerant individuals (2 males/3 females; median age, 8 years). Basophils from patients and controls were stimulated with pure peanut extract and blank and peanut-spiked (0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 ppm) biscuits (baking time 11, 16, 21, 26 minutes) and chocolate extracts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blank biscuits and chocolate did not induce cell activation in patients or controls. A comparison between patients and controls showed significantly higher activation of basophils after stimulation with 0.1 and 0.01 ppm of peanut-spiked biscuit at all baking times and peanut-spiked chocolate (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The basophil activation test is a highly sensitive and specific tool to detect traces of functionally active food allergens. For biscuits, its accuracy seems independent of baking time. Furthermore, it allows even the most sensitive patients to be included in study protocols.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Allergology, Rheumatology, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sabato
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Hengel
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: De Knop
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Verweij
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hagendorens
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bridts
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: De Clerck
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schiavino
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ebo
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010367:Arachis / Q000276:immunology; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060149:Tetraspanin 30
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D015703:Antigens, CD; C554586:CD63 protein, human; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D060149:Tetraspanin 30; D007073:Immunoglobulin E