Progenitor cell-derived basophils: a novel barcoded passive
degranulation assay in allergy diagnosis
Abstract
Background: Effector cells assays provide an overall measure of
responsiveness to allergen, but the lack of reliable, high-throughput
assays limits the clinical utility of this approach. The aim of this
study was to develop a high-throughput Basophil Activation Test (BAT),
based on human progenitor cell-derived basophils (PCB), and to
investigate the role of PCB activation test (PCBAT) in allergy
diagnosis. Methods: PCBs were differentiated from CD34+ progenitor
cells, and sensitized with sera from subjects sensitized to cat (n=35,
17 subjects clinical reactivity validated), peanut-allergic (n=30, 15
subjects clinical reactivity validated), peanut-sensitized but tolerant
subjects (n=13). Sensitized PCBs were then stimulated with a range of
concentrations of the corresponding allergens and degranulation was
measured using CD63 expression on flow cytometry. Results: Following
passive sensitisation of the mature PCB (2D7+/FcεRI+/CD117-/HLADR-) with
serum and stimulation with allergen, we saw a dose-dependent increase in
CD63 expression which was allergen specific. In subjects sensititsed to
cat there was a positive correlation between PCBAT area under curve
(AUC) versus specific IgE (sIgE) to cat (p=0.001) and versus airway
responsiveness to inhaled cat allergen (p=0.026). There was a
significant negative correlation between PCBAT AUC for peanut allergen
and response to oral food challenge test to peanut - subjects with
higher PCBAT AUC reacted to a lower dose on the oral food challenge to
peanut (p=0.001), and had higher sIgE to Ara h 1 (p=0.007). All peanut
tolerant subjects showed no reaction to peanut on PCBAT. Conclusion:
PCBAT may confer a powerful alternative tool in allergy testing.