The emerging roles of eosinophils in immune regulation in health and disease

09 Jul 20264 min read0 viewsJournal Feed

GIST (Key Takeaways)

Eosinophils are evolutionarily conserved granular innate cells that can trace back to 100 million years to the emergence of gnathostomes, which now is involved in regulation of diverse homeostatic conditions and diseases in mammals. They have traditionally been associated with Th2 responses, primarily in eosinophilic allergic asthma and helminth parasitic infections.
These Th2 responses are correlated with basic cationic proteins and specific cytokines release from preformed eosinophilic vesicles, associated with tissue damage and remodeling. Consequently, eosinophils have historically been characterized as potent cytotoxic effector cells.
In human patients, their high blood count has been linked to clinical concerns and necessary further patient evaluations. However, this reflects only a cursory understanding of eosinophils, as their involvement in a broad and diverse range of disorders has recently emerged.
Indeed, eosinophils extend beyond traditionally ascribed Th2 responses, which appear to be both global and pivotal in immune regulation contexts.