Figure 1.

Cartoon showing two major assessed pathways of allergy dampening via allergen specific immunotherapy (AIT), in which basophils may be directly involved. As explained in the text, both anergy and desensitization could be a possible effect of AIT, involving both indifferently mast cells as well as basophils, probably mast cells are an early target of desensitization. Basophils reduce their release of IL4 and IL13. Alternatively, basophils may activate in lymphoid tissues via a basophil IL4-mediated signaling, the differentiation and development of Tregs and IL10-producing Tregs from naïve CD4⁺ T cells, thus reducing the expression of IL4 in these cells and the inhibition of a Th2-mediated response. Green arrow: increase. Red arrow: decrease. Green circle: activation (+), red circles inhibition (−).