Review Article

Are Basophils Important Mediators for Helminth-Induced Th2 Immune Responses? A Debate

Table 1

Experimental evidence related to the role of basophils and DC in induction of Th2 immunity.

ReferenceMethods employedConclusions

[6]OVA-papain immunization model
Basophil depletion mediated by MAR-1
DC manipulation in CD11c-DTR model
Basophils express MHC-class-II and costimulatory molecules
DCs are not required for the development of papain-induced Th2 responses
DCs are not able to induce CD4+ Th2-cells in vitro except if basophils are included in the culture

[8]T. muris-infected mice and injection of S. mansoni eggs
Basophil depletion mediated by MAR-1
DC manipulation in CD11c-DTR model
Basophils express MHC-class-II and IL-4
Depletion of basophils in vivo impairs immunity to T. muris
Minimal induction of Th2 cytokines in mice in which MHC-class-II expression was restricted to CD11c+ cells. Th2 cytokines production was restored with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to interferon-γ

[7]S. venezuelensis-infected miceBasophils secrete IL-4 and express CD80, CD86, CD62L, and MHC class II
Basophils induce antigen-specific Th2-cells in vitro in the absence of DC
Enhanced Th2 responses result when basophils are cultured with antigen-specific IgE

[48]N. brasiliensis infection
Basophil depletion mediated by anti-Thy-1.2 mAb
In the absence of IL-4 and/or IL-13-producing T cells, basophils contribute to efficient worm expulsion

[28]S. mansoni infection and S. mansoni egg injection
Basophil depletion mediated by MAR-1
DC manipulation in CD11c-DTR model
Depletion of DCs results in impaired CD4+ T cell production of Th2 cytokines; depletion of basophils has no effect

[29]N. brasiliensis infection
Basophil depletion mediated by MAR-1
Depletion of basophils does not diminish the development of IL-4 producing CD4+ T cells
Basophils recruitment into the dLN depends on IL-3

[23]OVA-papain immunization model and N. brasiliensis infection
Basophil-deficient mice Mcpt8Cre and DC-ablated mice
Basophils are not required for in vivo priming of Th2-cells in N. brasiliensis-infected mice or after immunization with OVA-papain, with constitutive deletion of basophils
DC-ablated mice are impaired in mounting a Th2-cell response against OVA-papain despite normal basophil recruitment