To determine the fate of FcεRI+ cells on fibroblasts in vitro, human bone marrow derived CD34+ cells were cultured in the presence of recombinant human interleukin 3 and recombinant human hematopoietic stem cell factor for 3 weeks, and FcεRI+ cells were purified by immunomagnetic selection. This enriched FcεRI+ cell population consisted of 92–94% basophils and 3–5% mast cells as determined by morphologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural criteria. The FcεRI+ cells were then cocultured with 3T3 fibroblasts. Basophils decreased markedly by 1 week and were absent from cocultures by 2–3 weeks, while the mast cell numbers on the fibroblast monolayers remained constant. Ultrastructural examination of cocultures at 2 days demonstrated phagocytosis of basophils by fibroblasts. By 1 week, phagocytosed basophil membranes and granules gave fibroblasts the superficial appearance of mast cells by toluidine blue staining. Mast cells surviving in cocultures could be distinguished from granule-containing fibroblasts by IgE surface labeling and by ultrastructural demonstration of tryptase-positive granules. Thus, while mast cells remain viable in coculture with 3T3 fibroblasts, basophils do not survive and are internalized and degraded by the fibroblast monolayer.

Keywords:
Allergy, Basophils, Fibroblasts, IgE receptor, Mast cells
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© 1994 S. Karger AG, Basel
1994
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