Flow cytometric allergy diagnosis: basophil activation techniques

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1192:147-59. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1173-8_11.

Abstract

The basis of flow cytometric allergy diagnosis is quantification of changes in expression of basophilic surface membrane markers (Ebo et al., Clin Exp Allergy 34: 332-339, 2004). Upon encountering specific allergens recognized by surface receptor FcεRI-bound IgE, basophils not only secrete and generate quantifiable bioactive mediators but also up-regulate the expression of different markers (e.g., CD63, CD203c) which can be detected by multicolor flow cytometry using specific monoclonal antibodies (Ebo et al., Cytometry B Clin Cytom 74: 201-210, 2008). Here, we describe two flow cytometry-based protocols which allow detection of surface marker activation (Method 1) and changes in intragranular histamine (Method 2), both reflecting different facets of basophil activation.

MeSH terms

  • Basophil Degranulation Test / methods*
  • Basophils / immunology*
  • Basophils / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Calibration
  • Flow Cytometry / methods*
  • Flow Cytometry / standards
  • Histamine / analysis
  • Histamine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / diagnosis*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Staining and Labeling / methods

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Histamine