Regulation of eosinophil development and survival.
Eosinophils are a subset of granulocytes generally associated with type 2 immune responses. They can contribute to protection against helminths but also mediate pro-inflammatory functions during allergic immune responses. Only recently, eosinophils were also found to exert many other functions such as regulation of glucose and fat metabolism, thermogenesis, survival of plasma cells, and antitumor activity. The mechanisms that control eosinophil development and survival are only partially understood.



Here we review new findings regarding the role of cell-extrinsic and cell-intrinsic factors for eosinophilopoiesis and eosinophil homeostasis. Several reports provide new insights in the regulation of eosinophil development by transcription factors, miRNAs and epigenetic modifications. Danger signals like lipopolysaccharide or alarmins can activate eosinophils but also prolong their lifespan. We further reflect on the observations that eosinophil development is tightly controlled by the unfolded protein stress response and formation of cytoplasmic granules.



Eosinophils emerge as important regulators of diverse biological processes. Their differentiation and survival is tightly regulated by factors that are still poorly understood. Newly identified pathways involved in eosinophilopoiesis and eosinophil homeostasis may lead to development of new therapeutic options for treatment of eosinophil-associated diseases.
Department of Infection Biology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Ralf
R
Willebrand
David
D
Voehringer
D000067531:Alarmins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001853:Bone Marrow; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D042381:Granulocyte Precursor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000378:metabolism; D019891:Leukopoiesis; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D011485:Protein Binding; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D000067531:Alarmins; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015848:Interleukin-5; D035683:MicroRNAs; D014157:Transcription Factors