Function and expression of adhesion molecules on human basophils

Although the human basophil is predominantly a circulating cell, it is known to participate in a variety of inflammatory responses. For example, basophils have clearly been identified in skin at sites of contact hypersensitivity, erythema multiforme, bullous pemphigoid, and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reactions and in the airways of subjects with allergic rhinitis and asthma.1, 2 In addition, an influx of basophils accompanies the allergic late phase response that occurs after antigen challenge of the skin and airways.