In vitro Antigen-Induced Increase in Motility and Degranulation of Basophilic Granulocytes from Atopic Asthmatics, Studied by Microscopic Motion Pictures

Increase in motility and degranulation of basophilic granulocytes by stimulation with antigen were studied by phase-contrast microscopic motion pictures. There was no difference in random movement between sensitized (atopic asthmatics) and nonsensitized basophilic granulocytes (healthy subjects). The incidence of basophilic granulocytes with oriented movement before antigen stimulation was significantly lower in atopic asthmatics compared to that in healthy subjects, but was significantly increased at 3–6 min and reached the peak at 12–15 min after addition of antigen. Degranulation of sensitized basophilic granulocytes began to occur at 3–6 min with the maximum at 12–15 min after antigen stimulation.