title: [Eosinophil and its pathology].
abstract: Hypercosinophilia was previously considered as a biological marker, particularly useful for diagnostic investigation. However, it can also appear as a marker of disease activity since fundamental studies have revealed the potent pathogenic role of human eosinophils. This new appreciation is related to a better definition of the molecular and cellular basis of eosinophil functions. Thus, eosinophils were identified as inflammatory and/or cytotoxic cells after the characterization of the role of surface molecules (adhesion molecules, Fc receptor of immunoglobulins) and mediators. The molecular components which endow the eosinophil with certain of its functional characteristics are primarily the cationic proteins of the specific granules and the phospholipid mediators that are newly formed during cellular activation. Some of these effector molecules are also directly involved in the induction of deleterious effects.
authors.affiliation: Unité d'immunologie, service de bactériologie-immunologie, CHU, hôpital Nord, Amiens, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prin
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines
vernacular_title: L'éosinophile et sa pathologie.