Basophils function as antigen-presenting cells for an allergen-induced T helper type 2 response

Nat Immunol. 2009 Jul;10(7):713-20. doi: 10.1038/ni.1738. Epub 2009 May 24.

Abstract

T helper type 2 (T(H)2)-mediated immune responses are induced after infection with multicellular parasites and can be triggered by a variety of allergens. The mechanisms of induction and the antigen-presenting cells involved in the activation of T(H)2 responses remain poorly defined, and the innate immune sensing pathways activated by parasites and allergens are largely unknown. Basophils are required for the in vivo induction of T(H)2 responses by protease allergens. Here we show that basophils also function as antigen-presenting cells. We show that although dendritic cells were dispensable for allergen-induced activation of T(H)2 responses in vitro and in vivo, antigen presentation by basophils was necessary and sufficient for this. Thus, basophils function as antigen-presenting cells for T(H)2 differentiation in response to protease allergens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / cytology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology*
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology
  • Basophils / immunology*
  • Basophils / metabolism
  • Basophils / transplantation
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endocytosis / immunology
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / immunology
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Papain / immunology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / immunology
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • MHC class II transactivator protein
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Interleukin-4
  • Papain