title: Mechanisms of eosinophil cytokine release.
abstract: Human eosinophils have been demonstrated to contain a multitude of cytokines and chemokines that exist pre-formed within these cells. This content of pre-formed cytokines, with diverse potential biologic activities, provides eosinophils with capabilities distinct from most other leukocytes. The localization of pre-formed cytokines within eosinophils is both within specific granules and associated with substantial numbers of morphologically distinct cytoplasmic vesicles. Stimulation for release of specific cytokines, such as IL-4, leads to a regulated signal transduction cascade, which is dependent on the formation of leukotriene C4 within eosinophils where it acts as an intracrine mediator. IL-4 release occurs selectively and is by means of vesicular transport. The capabilities of eosinophils not only to rapidly release pre-formed cytokines but also to differentially regulate which cytokines are released endow eosinophils with distinct abilities in innate and acquired immunity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacodinâmica, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Christianne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bandeira-Melo
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Weller
mesh_terms: D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines