Basophils have also been implicated in allergic skin responses, in particular in IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis models, where allergen-specific IgE mediates the activation and degranulation of basophils to release their inflammatory mediators via ligation of the high affinity IgE-receptor FcER1 on their surface and cross-linking by the allergen molecule (63–65). The gene discussed is IGHE; the disease is atopic eczema.