Synthesis of cytokines by eosinophils and their regulation.
In addition to cytotoxic and proinflammatory mediators, eosinophils can produce a variety of cytokines and growth factors. Besides interleukin (IL)-5, we show in the present work that human eosinophils can synthesize interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-10, by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunostaining. Double-labelling procedures revealed the coexpression of IL-5 and IL-10 but not IL-5 and IFN-gamma, indicating the existence of subpopulations of eosinophils expressing type 1 or type 2 cytokines. IFN-alpha efficiently used for the treatment of hypereosinophilic syndromes can significantly decrease eosinophil degranulation and IL-5 release by eosinophils, through binding to a receptor for IFN-alpha. Thus, eosinophils can represent major sources of cytokines with regulatory functions, especially in allergic diseases and parasitic infections.
Lamkhioued
B
B
Centre d'Immunologie et de Biologie Parasitaire, Unité INSERM U167, Institut Pasteur, Lille, France.
Aldebert
D
D
Gounni
A S
AS
Delaporte
E
E
Goldman
M
M
Capron
A
A
Capron
M
M
D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D016207:Cytokines; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007378:Interleukins; D007371:Interferon-gamma