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Review
. 2012 Apr;49(2):113-9.
doi: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2012.01.005.

Eosinophils and disease pathogenesis

Praveen Akuthota  1 , Peter F Weller
Affiliations
Review

Eosinophils and disease pathogenesis

Praveen Akuthota et al. Semin Hematol. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

Eosinophils are granulocytic innate immune cells whose presence is conspicuous in a variety of disease states, including eosinophilic hyperproliferative and infiltrative processes, as well as conditions associated with maladaptive Th2 inflammation. This review discusses the role of eosinophils in disease pathogenesis, including a consideration of relevant eosinophil biology. Eosinophilic disease patterns of tissue infiltration are also detailed, as are candidate mechanisms by which eosinophils cause fibrosis and hypercoagulability and the importance of eosinophils in allergic inflammation. Eosinophils are unique cells in their spectrum of associated disease, with the promise of future discoveries in delineating the manner in which they contribute to disease pathogenesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial disclosures or conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The effect of major stimulatory cytokines on eosinophils. IL-5, GM-CSF, and IL-3 have wide-ranging effects on eosinophils. IL-5 promotes eosinophil differentiation and proliferation. IL-5, GM-CSF, and IL-3 all have important effects on trafficking, survival, degranulation, and activation of eosinophils.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Organs involved in tissue eosinophilia. As depicted, eosinophils have the potential to infiltrate most organ systems and cause disease. Tissue eosinophilia may lead to end-organ fibrosis. Hypereosinophilia is associated with hypercoagulability.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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