Monitoring Chronic Urticaria Basophil Irritability by Cytometry

A biological tool for quantitative assessment of Chronic Urticaria (CU) is still in need for monitoring biotherapies. CU is considered as a sudden degranulation of Mast cells / basophils without any identified cause. It is considered that Mast cell/basophil have an abnormally high sensitivity in CU and can be triggered with almost nothing (high irritability). In allergy, basophils degranulation can be reproduced in vitro with allergens. Anti-IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibody mimics allergen triggering of basophils in a dose dependent manner. If basophils are abnormally sensitive in CU, it should be reproduced in vitro at very low stimulation. The main objective of this project is to set up a method to evidence abnormal basophil irritability and look for clinical significance. As many markers characterize basophils in different states, researchers shall also look for a profile possibly associated with CU basophile irritability. Such tests could be useful in CU monitoring.