Involvement of basophils in type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis

Abstract

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is classified into type 1 and type 2. Type 1 AIP is recognized as the pancreatic manifestation of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). The role of IgG4 in IgG4-RD is still unclear. However, inducible co-stimulatory (ICOS) molecule positive regulatory T cells are considered to be involved in the production of IgG4 via IL-10. It is also reported that innate immunity (basophils and monocytes) plays an important role of the production of IgG4. Recently, innate immune mechanisms are known to be necessary for the development of several immune-related diseases. We reviewed the involvement of the innate immune system including basophils in the pathophysiology of type 1 AIP.