Interferon increases IgE binding to basophils.

One of the pivotal manifestations of immediate type hypersensitivity is mediator release from a variety of mediator cells, e.g., mast cells and basophils. The essential step of this process is the binding of immunoglobulin E (IgE) to the surface of these cells. In the present studies we examined the influence of human interferon (HuIFN) on the binding of IgE to human leukocytes (basophils). The results of these studies indicate that pre-treatment of leukocytes (basophils) with different types of IFN leads to a pronounced increase in binding of IgE to these cells. These data support the hypothesis concerning a pathogenetic role of IFN in the development of allergy of the immediate type hypersensitivity.