[Role of eosinophilia in atopic pathology].
Atopy corresponds to a heightened predisposition to develop an IgE-mediated reaction to allergens in the environment. Symptomatic manifestations of atopy include skin disorders, rhinitis, and allergic asthma. Tissue infiltration by polynuclear eosinophils is a shared feature of all atopic diseases. In asthma, eosinophilic infiltration is considered as a pathognomonic finding, proportional to severity. Eosinophils have been linked directly to epithelial damage responsible for asthma symptoms as a result of massive production of basic proteins which are toxic for the mucosa. Eosinophils also produce fibrosis-inducing cytokines and contribute to remodeling of the airway. Activation of Th2 lymphocytes accounts for the influx of eosinophils into the airway via production not only of IL-5 but also of chemokines such as RANTES, MCP-3, and, above all, eotaxine. Resolution of airway inflammation in asthma is related to eosinophil apoptosis occurring spontaneously or therapeutically in response to anti-inflammatory agents. Based on current data, eosinophils can be considered as a pivotal factor in the occurrence of atopic manifestations and thus constitute a prime target for future immunotherapies.
Magnan
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Service de Pneumo-Allergologie, UPRES 2050, Hôpital Sainte Marguerite, Marseille, France. AMAGNAN@mail.ap-hm.fr
Vervloet
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D
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D018925:Chemokines / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D007249:Inflammation; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D015848:Interleukin-5
La place de l'eosinophile dans la pathologie de l'atopique.