title: Eosinophils, allergy and parasites.
abstract: Recently, known eosinophil functions have been extended considerably: previously the cells were thought to have an exclusive role in the release of cytotoxic mediators; now they are known to have roles in antigen presentation and immunoregulation through the release of cytokines. Although questionable, animal models indicate a rather beneficial role of eosinophils in parasitic infections but a detrimental one, together with other cells, in allergy.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U547, Institut Pasteur de Lille 1, Rue du Professeur Calmette BP245, 59019 Cedex, Lille, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dombrowicz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capron
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000276:immunology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D051379:Mice; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000906:Antibodies; D016207:Cytokines