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Review
. 2018 Aug;121(2):150-155.
doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2018.02.031. Epub 2018 Feb 27.

The eosinophil: For better or worse, in sickness and in health

Bruce S Bochner  1
Affiliations
Review

The eosinophil: For better or worse, in sickness and in health

Bruce S Bochner. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018 Aug.
No abstract available

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Romanowsky-dye (R&D) stained preparations of hematopoietic tissues from representative animals of the five (5) classes of Vertebrata reveal the ubiquitous presence of a uniquely eosinophilic lineage in this sub-phylum. Leukocytes displaying the unique polymorphonucleus and the eosin-binding cytoplasmic granules characteristic of eosinophils are identifiable (arrowheads) in Mammalia (Homo sapiens (human, H&E) and Mus musculus (mouse, R&D)), Aves (Columba livia (rock pigeon, H&E)), Reptilia (Pogona vitticeps (Bearded Dragon, R&D)), Amphibia (Rana pipens (leopard frog, H&E)), and Osteichthyes (Tilapia aurea (Tilapia, H&E)). Scale bar = 20μm. Reproduced from .
Figure 2
Figure 2
Transcription Factor (TF) expression during eosinophil development. Eosinophils differentiate in the bone marrow from an eosinophil lineage-committed progenitor (EoP) that is derived from the granulocyte/macrophage progenitor (GMP) in mice and the common myeloid progenitor (CMP) in humans. For eosinophil lineage commitment to occur, the myeloid progenitor (GMP or CMP) must express C/EBPα, C/EBPε, interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), and PU.1. Expression of friend of GATA-1 (FOG-1) declines, allowing for increasing expression and activity of GATA TFs, which is necessary for EoP production. Following lineage commitment, eosinophil granule protein gene expression is markedly increased with the collaborative interaction between C/EBPε, PU.1, and GATA-1. To assist with the elevated granule protein synthesis in the EoP and eosinophil precursors, XBP1 expression is increased and promotes survival during the demanding maturation process. Expression of activator isoforms of C/EBPε peaks during eosinophil maturation and then declines during the final stages. Expression of ID2 increases during eosinophil maturation and enhances the rate of maturation. Reproduced from reference .
Figure 3
Figure 3
Potential diagnosis based on the total blood eosinophil count at presentation. This general approach is not designed to provide absolute cutoffs, but instead is meant to help narrow down the list of likely diagnoses, which can then be further delineated based on history, physical exam and additional testing. Abbreviations used: ABPA, allergic bronchopulmonary aspegillosis; EP, eosinophilic pneumonia; EGPA, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome; DRESS, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. Artwork by Jacqueline Schaffer.
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