title: Role of basophils in rheumatoid arthritis (Review).
abstract: The T helper (Th)1/Th2 imbalance plays a crucial role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is well known that basophils can affect the Th1/Th2 balance by enhancing the Th2 response, while impairing the Th1 response, which is known to be involved in the development of a number of diseases. However, limited information is available with regard to the role of basophils in RA. Decreased levels of circulating basophils and a dominant Th1 response have been reported in adult patients with RA, while children with juvenile RA have been largely found to have increased levels of circulating basophils and a dominant Th2 response. Furthermore, the circulating basophils in the two conditions have an activated phenotype and are associated with disease activity. In addition, a longitudinal study found the Th2 response was dominant in the early stages of RA, while the Th1 response was dominant in long-term chronic RA. These observations indicate that basophils may be involved in the development of RA by affecting the Th1/Th2 balance, particularly in the early stages of RA. Therefore, targeting basophils may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of RA; however, further investigation is required.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatism, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qiuhua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qiaofen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yanwen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Haijuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Cancer Center, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Huafeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatism, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qingjun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Pan
keywords: T helper 1/T helper 2; basophil; rheumatoid arthritis