Basophil activation techniques: Staining of exteriorized granule matrix

Abstract

The basis of traditional flow cytometry allergy diagnosis is measurement of the expression of basophilic surface activation and/or degranulation markers. Basophils, upon encounter with a specific allergen that cross-links surface FcRI-bound IgE antibodies, not only secrete and release quantifiable bioactive mediators but also upregulate the expression of different markers (e.g., CD63, CD203c) which can be detected by multicolor flow cytometry using specific monoclonal antibodies. Here, we describe a novel technique that relies upon the staining of exteriorized anionic proteoglycans from a basophil granule matrix by cationic fluorescent avidin probes.