Journal article

MHC Class II Expression in Human Basophils: Induction and Lack of Functional Significance

Astrid L Voskamp, Sara R Prickett, Fabienne Mackay, Jennifer M Rolland, Robyn E O'Hehir

PLOS ONE | PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE | Published : 2013

Abstract

The antigen-presenting abilities of basophils and their role in initiating a Th2 phenotype is a topic of current controversy. We aimed to determine whether human basophils can be induced to express MHC Class II and act as antigen presenting cells for T cell stimulation. Isolated human basophils were exposed to a panel of cytokines and TLR-ligands and assessed for MHC Class II expression. MHC Class II was expressed in up to 17% of isolated basophils following incubation with a combination of IL-3, IFN-γ and GM-CSF for 72 hours. Costimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) were expressed at very low levels after stimulation. Gene expression analysis of MHC Class II-positive basophils confirmed up-r..

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Funding Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and The Alfred Research Trust. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.