[Basophilic granulocytes and autoimmune diseases. Can basophilic granulocytes modulate B-cell functions in systemic lupus erythematosus?]

BACKGROUND: B-cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, many other cell types are also involved in disease development. In a murine lupus model it was demonstrated that basophils are indispensable for the development of lupus symptoms. AIM: This study investigated whether there is evidence for a relevant interaction between B-cells and basophils under physiological and pathological conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A selective review of the literature was performed and some preliminary data about the interaction of basophils and B-cells are reported in this article. For the experiments, isolated B-cells were cultured in vitro in the presence or absence of basophils and B-cell survival, proliferation, plasma cell development and antibody production were determined. RESULTS: Data from the literature show that there is evidence for an interaction between basophils and B-cells in a murine model. Our investigations confirmed that human basophils also support the survival and proliferation of B-cells. Furthermore, plasma cell differentiation and antibody production, most importantly IgG secretion, are enhanced. First experimental ex vivo analyses of basophils from SLE patients demonstrate that these cells exhibit a higher activation level compared to basophils from healthy controls. DISCUSSION: In summary, previously published data and our own data demonstrate that there is an interaction between human basophils and B-cells. A better understanding of the role of basophils in the pathogenesis of SLE could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.

• Meyer-Bahlburg, A.; Dijkstra, D.