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Flow Cytometric Allergy Diagnosis: Basophil Activation Techniques

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Basophils and Mast Cells

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1192))

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.

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References

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Correspondence to Didier G. Ebo .

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Bridts, C.H., Sabato, V., Mertens, C., Hagendorens, M.M., De Clerck, L.S., Ebo, D.G. (2014). Flow Cytometric Allergy Diagnosis: Basophil Activation Techniques. In: Gibbs, B., Falcone, F. (eds) Basophils and Mast Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1192. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1173-8_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1173-8_11

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1172-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1173-8

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