The Flow CAST^® is intended for the determination of basophil activation in patient whole blood samples by flow cytometry. Our unique marker combination - CCR3 and CD63 - combines the simple gating properties for basophil detection by CCR3 with the solid application of the proven activation marker CD63 in one. Thanks to its easy protocol and smart marker combination the first results can be obtained within one hour - perfect conditions for routine laboratories.

CCR3 as Basophil Marker
Basophils constitutively express the eotaxin receptor CCR3 allowing for a robust and accurate selection of cells. CCR3 is detected with a PE-fluorescence labelled monoclonal antibody. This gating of basophil cells is significantly easier than with any other commercially available BAT.

CD63 as Activation Marker
Upon allergen contact, sensitised basophils degranulate and express the cell surface marker CD63.  It  is detected by a FITC-fluorescence labeled monoclonal antibody. CD63 is currently the best-validated basophil activation marker directly linked to basophil degranulation.

Controls
The first control, anti-FcEpsilonRI, is a highly specific monoclonal antibody binding to IgE receptor. The second control, a tripetide (fMLP) activates the basphils by a non-immunological way.

CD203c as Activation Marker
The CD203c is an other basophil activation marker for allergy detection after CD63. Our CD203c Reagent Set (RUO) is intended for the use within an extended protocol for the Flow CAST^® kit, allowing the measurement of both activation markers, CD63 and CD203c, with two different fluorescence labelled antibodies.

Flow CAST^® highsens
In autumn 2011 the new third generation Basophil Activation Test Flow CAST^® highsens will be available.

Product Information

* Multilingual document [EN, DE, FR, IT, ES]

Main applications for the Flow CAST^®

The CAST^® assays can be used for the confirmation of any IgE mediated allergy with controversial results from classical testing (anamnese, skin testing, spec. IgE). Further information about specific fields of allergy ask for independent testing on Cellular Allergy.