Stem cell factor stimulates the chemotaxis, integrin upregulation, and survival of human basophils.

Background: Little is known about the mechanisms that regulate the selective recruitment of basophils to sites of allergic inflammation.

Objective: Here we examine the role of stem cell factor (SCF) in the regulation of basophil function.

Methods: Human basophils were isolated from peripheral blood, and their migration was investigated in chemotaxis assays.

A novel assay to measure the calcium flux in human basophils: effects of chemokines and nerve growth factor.

The calcium flux in human basophils was measured by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were labeled with anti-CD123 and anti-HLA-DR antibodies, loaded with fluo-3 acetoxymethyl ester (2 micromol/l) in the presence of probenecid (2.5 micromol/l) and Pluronic F-127 (0.