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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Eosinophilic cationic protein in chronic eosinophilic pneumonia and eosinophilic granuloma.

We measured eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) concentrations in the circulation and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids from patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, patients with eosinophilic granuloma, and normal control subjects. Significantly increased ECP concentrations were found in the circulation of patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia and with eosinophilic granuloma compared with those found in control subjects. The ECP concentrations were well correlated to eosinophil counts in the circulation of patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, while they were not in patients with eosinophilic granuloma. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia patients had prominently increased ECP concentrations in BAL fluids compared with those found in control subjects, while eosinophilic granuloma patients did not. Those concentrations in chronic eosinophilic pneumonia patients were well correlated to eosinophil counts in the BAL fluid. Corticosteroid therapy remarkably decreased circulating ECP concentrations in three patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, but it had no significant effects in two patients with eosinophilic granuloma. Measurement of ECP concentrations seems to be useful to evaluate the disease activity of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Clinical study of eosinophilic cystitis. I. On the definition of eosinophilic cystitis. I-1. Histological observation of eosinophilic infiltration].

Eosinophilic cystitis is a disease accompanied by prominent increase in the number of eosinophils in the vesical wall, but whether it is diagnosable from the number of eosinophils has not been clear. We made histological observations in 5 cases thought to have elevated eosinophil count and 13 control cases. We counted the eosinophils in the 5 fields we considered to be the place eosinophils were most abundant under 200 times magnification, and an average of 20 to 50 eosinophils were found in each field. The ratio of eosinophils in the same field to all round cell infiltration was from 36 to 85%. In 2 of the 5 cases, more than 20 eosinophils were found in some fields and the ratio to all round cell infiltration was under 5%. In the remaining one case from 5 to 20 eosinophils were found in some fields, but the ratio to round cell infiltration was over 20%. On the other hand, in the 13 control cases, the average number of eosinophils was one per field and the ratio to all round cell infiltration was under 5% in the 5 fields we considered to be the place eosinophils were most abundant. Less than 5 eosinophils were found in any of the fields and the ratio to all round cell was under 5%. From these results, the 5 cases thought to have elevated eosinophil count were diagnosed to be eosinophilic cystitis.

Cystitis↗
PubMed2001

Functional CD137 receptors are expressed by eosinophils from patients with IgE-mediated allergic responses but not by eosinophils from patients with non-IgE-mediated eosinophilic disorders.

BACKGROUND: CD137 (ILA/4-1BB), a member of the TNF/nerve growth factor receptor superfamily, has previously been suggested to be involved in T-cell activation and differentiation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate expression and potential function of CD137 in eosinophils. METHODS: Eosinophils were isolated from normal control subjects as well as from patients with bronchial asthma, patients with atopic dermatitis, and patients with idiopathic eosinophilia. CD137 expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. The in situ expression of CD137 on eosinophils in nasal polyp and skin tissues was analyzed through use of immunohistochemistry. To examine whether CD137 regulates eosinophil death and apoptosis, cells were stimulated with a plate-bound anti-CD137 antibody in the presence or absence of survival cytokines. Cell death was measured by means of an ethidium bromide exclusion test. Apoptosis was determined by analyzing phosphatidylserine surface exposure. RESULTS: Blood and tissue eosinophils from patients with IgE-mediated allergic responses (atopic dermatitis, extrinsic asthma) express CD137. In contrast, eosinophils from normal control individuals and patients with non-IgE-mediated eosinophilic inflammatory responses (intrinsic asthma, idiopathic eosinophilia) express neither detectable levels of mRNA nor protein for CD137. Expression of CD137 in eosinophils was induced in vitro by stimulating the cells with supernatants derived from in vivo- or in vitro-activated T cells, suggesting that a soluble T cell-derived factor might be responsible for the observed phenomenon. Although CD137 expression was associated with increased IgE levels, IL-4 and IL-13 did not induce CD137 gene expression in eosinophils. Activation of CD137 abrogated both GM-CSF-mediated and IL-5-mediated antiapoptosis in CD137-expressing eosinophils but not in CD137-deficient eosinophils. In contrast, the survival effect of IFN-gamma was not affected by anti-CD137 treatment. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that CD137 activation might limit GM-CSF-mediated and IL-5-mediated antiapoptosis of eosinophils. The absence of this potential anti-inflammatory mechanism might further increase eosinophil numbers at inflammatory sites in patients with intrinsic asthma and patients with idiopathic eosinophilia. The T cell-derived factor that induces CD137 expression in eosinophils remains to be identified.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1988

Leukotriene C4 production from human eosinophils in vitro. Role of eosinophil chemotactic factors on eosinophil activation.

We studied the role of naturally occurring eosinophil chemotactic factors on leukotriene (LT)C4 production from highly purified (87.1 +/- 2.4%) normodense eosinophils. Platelet activating factor (PAF) directly induced LTC4 production from eosinophils in a dose (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) and a time-dependent manner. PAF (10(-5) M) induced 0.74 +/- 0.08 ng of LTC4 production/10(6) eosinophils. However, lyso-PAF, eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis, and LTB4 failed to induce LTC4 production within the tested range. Furthermore, the pre-incubation of eosinophils with 5 micrograms/ml of cytochalasin B did not alter the chemotactic factor-induced LTC4 production. When eosinophils were stimulated by the submaximal concentration (1 microgram/ml) of calcium ionophore A23187, the pre-incubation of eosinophils with 10(-6) M or 10(-5) M of PAF, or 10(-5) M of eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis significantly enhanced LTC4 production up to 163.9 +/- 17.5% (p less than 0.05), 279.2 +/- 32.9% (p less than 0.01) and 165.2 +/- 21.2% (p less than 0.05) of the control, respectively. However, the pre-incubation with lyso-PAF or LTB4 failed to enhance A23187-induced LTC4 production. The pre-incubation of eosinophils with phosphatidyl serine also failed to enhance A23187-induced LTC4 production. However, the direct stimulation of protein kinase C by PMA enhanced the submaximal concentration of A23187-induced LTC4 production from eosinophils up to 179.5 +/- 20.9% (p less than 0.05) of the control. Our findings indicate that PAF and ECF-A work not only as chemotactic factors but also induce a functionally active state of eosinophils probably through their post-receptor mechanisms, and contribute to the inflammatory processes.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Eosinophils, eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin in serum and urine of patients with onchocerciasis coinfected with intestinal nematodes and in urinary schistosomiasis.

Eosinophils, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN/EPX), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and IgE were measured in blood, serum and/or urine in Schistosoma haematobium- and Onchocerca volvulus-infected Guineans and O. volvulus- and S. haematobium-negative Guineans coinfected or infected with intestinal nematodes. The number of eosinophils and levels of eosinophil granule proteins but not of MPO were found to be strongly elevated in all Africans as compared to European controls. The highest serum ECP and serum and urinary EDN/EPX levels were observed in the hyperreactive form of onchocerciasis (sowda). Onchocerciasis patients and O. volvulus-negative Africans coinfected or infected with intestinal nematodes (hookworm and/or Ascaris lumbricoides) revealed higher serum granule protein concentrations and/or absolute eosinophil counts and urinary ECP than those without nematode infections. Statistical differences between both sections were found for the absolute eosinophil counts and for serum EDN/EPX and IgE in generalized onchocerciasis, and for urinary ECP in sowda, indicating stimulation of the eosinophil potential of O. volvulus-positive patients by coexistent hookworm infection. This worm species, in contrast to A. lumbricoides, causes especially high eosinophil counts and EDN/EPX and IgE levels. From these results it is concluded that in nematode diseases, ECP and EDN/EPX levels reflect the degree of antigenic stimulation, eosinophil activation and eosinophil turnover rates. Serum ECP and serum and urinary EDN/EPX may, therefore, serve as parameters to monitor helminth infection. Urinary ECP may be a marker of eosinophiluria secondary to urogenital manifestation of S. haematobium. It is elevated in hyperreactive onchocerciasis activated by intestinal nematodes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

How similar are in vitro differentiated, cord blood derived eosinophils to peripheral blood eosinophils? A comparison of their peroxidase and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin contents and of their responses to various activators.

In this study we attempted to compare cord blood derived, in vitro differentiated eosinophils to peripheral blood eosinophils with respect to their capacity to respond to various activators and, therefore, their potential ability to contribute to an inflammatory response. The cells were compared with respect to their density, content of eosinophil peroxidase, and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, and with respect to their responses to various activators. The in vitro cultured, cord blood derived eosinophils were distinctly lighter than the freshly isolated peripheral blood cells. This difference in cell density was reflected in a slightly reduced content of both eosinophil peroxidase (1.17 +/- 0.29 compared to 2.03 +/- 0.22 arbitrary units/2,000 cells) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (18.7 +/- 4.0 vs. 26.4 +/- 4.5 ng/10(4) cells). We compared the cells with respect to two different activation end points; the production of activated oxygen metabolites (superoxide anion) and the secretion of cationic proteins from their granules (eosinophil peroxidase and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin). In general, these responses were either the same in the two cell populations, or they were only slightly lower in the cord blood derived cells. There were, however, a few notable exceptions. Thus the secretory responses of the cultured cells to C5a and C3a anaphylatoxins and O2- production with the chemotactic peptide, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, and with aggregated IgG were consistently greater than those of the normodense eosinophils. The possible implications of these differences on the state of maturation of the in vitro differentiated eosinophils are briefly discussed.

Cell Count↗
PubMed1995

Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia and idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia: comparison of eosinophil number and degranulation by immunofluorescence staining for eosinophil-derived major basic protein.

OBJECTIVE: To undertake additional assessment of the possible overlap between bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP). DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed open-lung biopsy specimens from six patients with CEP, five patients with idiopathic BOOP, and four patients with secondary BOOP, encountered during the 5-year period 1986 through 1991, for the presence of eosinophils and extent of eosinophil degranulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using previously described immunofluorescence methods for detection of intact eosinophils and extracellular deposition of eosinophil-derived major basic protein, we counted the number of eosinophils per x160 microscopic field and evaluated the extent of eosinophil degranulation semiquantitatively. RESULTS: The median numbers of eosinophils were 221 (range, 26 to 343) in cases of CEP, 7 (range, 1 to 65) in cases of idiopathic BOOP, and 7.5 (range, 1 to 39) in cases of secondary BOOP. More eosinophils were found in CEP than in idiopathic BOOP or all cases of idiopathic and secondary BOOP. We found no differences in the extent of eosinophil degranulation among the three groups, although a tendency for more degranulation was noted in cases of CEP. CONCLUSION: Even though clinical and histologic overlap may exist between CEP and idiopathic BOOP, the exact relationship and the role of the eosinophil in idiopathic BOOP remain to be determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Eosinophilic myositis with eosinophilic cellulitislike skin lesions. Association with increased serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein and interleukin-5.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral and tissue eosinophilia are associated with a group of idiopathic inflammatory syndromes. The idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome represents a spectrum of disorders characterized by prolonged eosinophilia of an undetectable cause and significant organ dysfunction. The pathogenic role of the eosinophil in these conditions is attested to by evidence of eosinophil activation and degranulation at sites of tissue injury. Recently, an overlapping range of idiopathic eosinophilic muscle disease with an overall good prognosis has been described. RESULTS: We describe a patient with a syndrome of idiopathic myositis with eosinophilia and eosinophilic cellulitislike cutaneous manifestations. Histopathological studies of the skin and muscle revealed eosinophilic infiltration. Elevated serum levels of eosinophilic cationic protein and interleukin-5 paralleling disease activity were detected. CONCLUSIONS: This patient demonstrates clinical and laboratory features of eosinophilic myositis with eosinophilic cellulitislike skin lesions. The elevated serum levels of interleukin-5 and eosinophilic cationic protein may be responsible for the eosinophilia and tissue injury, respectively. With the advances in our understanding of cytokine-dependent regulatory mechanisms governing the eosinophil reaction, more targeted ways of manipulating eosinophilia as well as the entry and activation of eosinophils within specific tissues can be expected.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Serum eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil protein X and eosinophil peroxidase in relation to pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, increased serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in cystic fibrosis (CF) have been reported which were closely related to the levels in sputum. In the present study we investigated other eosinophil proteins such as eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) in sera of patients with CF and their relation to pulmonary function. METHODS: Serum samples from 42 patients with CF and from 25 healthy control subjects were measured for ECP, EPO and EPX. Lung function tests were performed by using whole body plethysmographic technique, and the results were correlated with the levels of eosinophil granule proteins. RESULTS: Serum ECP (median: 20.9 microg/L), EPO (median: 30.3 microg/L) and EPX (median: 37.9 microg/L) levels were significantly increased in CF compared with healthy controls (3.5 microg/L, P < 0.0001, 5.6 microg/L, P < 0.0001 and 14.6 microg/L, P < 0.0001, respectively) whereas eosinophil counts were not different. There was a strong correlation between the levels of eosinophil proteins and variables of pulmonary function, like between ECP and forced vital capacity (r = -0.764, P < 0.0001). In addition, ECP concentrations were significantly related to the levels of EPO and EPX, albeit, in some patients with low ECP levels, increased EPO and EPX concentrations were observed. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that in patients with CF, ECP, EPO and EPX concentrations also were increased with a significant relationship between these three eosinophil proteins. Since eosinophil activity in patients with CF is strongly correlated with pulmonary function, the assessment of eosinophil granule proteins might be useful for clinical monitoring in CF.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Eosinophil transendothelial migration induced by cytokines. II. Potentiation of eosinophil transendothelial migration by eosinophil-active cytokines.

Activation of HUVEC monolayers by IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha induces migration of eosinophils across the endothelial monolayer (i.e., transendothelial migration) in vitro. In the present study, we demonstrate that culture of freshly isolated eosinophils in the presence of IL-5 for 24 to 48 h before use in the assay dramatically potentiated CD18-dependent eosinophil transendothelial migration through unstimulated endothelial monolayers. Granulocyte macrophage (GM)-CSF induced eosinophil transendothelial migration but did not induce neutrophil transendothelial migration. When IL-1 beta-activated endothelial cells were used, GM-CSF, IL-3, or IL-5 caused only modest potentiation of eosinophil transendothelial migration. Since activated endothelial cells are known to produce GM-CSF, we hypothesized that endothelial-derived GM-CSF might play a role in the process of IL-1 beta-induced eosinophil transendothelial migration. IL-1 beta-activated endothelial monolayers grown on the permeable supports produced 0.3 +/- 0.1 ng/ml of GM-CSF during a 4-h incubation and neutralizing Ab against GM-CSF inhibited eosinophil transendothelial migration by 48%, suggesting that endothelial-derived GM-CSF may participate in the response. Eosinophils purified from bronchoalveolar lavage 18 to 20 h after experimental Ag challenge in the lungs of allergic volunteers showed enhanced transendothelial migration, indicating that the cells may have undergone cytokine activation in vivo. Eosinophil-active cytokines may contribute to the preferential accumulation of eosinophils in vivo in part via potentiation of eosinophil transendothelial migration.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Eosinophil cationic protein- and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin/eosinophil protein X-immunoreactive eosinophils in prurigo nodularis.

It is known that eosinophils are actively involved in allergy and inflammation. The granular components of eosinophils, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin/eosinophil protein X (EDN/EPX), play an important role in such allergic and inflammatory processes. Prurigo nodularis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with obvious cutaneous nervous involvement. To detect ECP and EDN/ EPX expression in the eosinophils and their relation to nerve fibres in prurigo nodularis, ECP and EDN/EPX single-labelling immunofluorescence, and ECP and PGP 9.5 double-labelling immunofluorescence, were performed. In prurigo nodularis lesional skin, the ECP- and EDN/EPX-containing cells, which were mainly distributed in the upper dermis, were significantly increased in number compared to their numbers in uninvolved and normal skin. The immunoreactivity of ECP and EDN/EPX in prurigo lesional skin was stronger than in uninvolved skin or control skin. The PGP 9.5-immunoreactive nerves were also increased in number in the areas where there were increased eosinophils. The nerves were in close proximity to eosinophils, and occasionally even seemed to be in contact. The present results indicate that the cutaneous nerves and the ECP- and EDN/EPX-containing eosinophils are possibly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The close relationship of nerves and eosinophils indicates that the cutaneous nerves may influence eosinophil function in the chronic inflammatory states of prurigo nodularis. ECP and EDN/EPX could thus be released to the local tissue and modulate the inflammation of the prurigo nodularis lesion.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

A kinetic assay for eosinophil peroxidase activity in eosinophils and eosinophil conditioned media.

The activity of eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) is commonly employed as a measure of eosinophil activation in biologic fluids. Determination of product formation by this enzyme by end-point measurement may be affected profoundly by substrate concentrations, reaction time and degradation of end-product and enzyme. To determine more accurately EPO concentrations in media conditioned by isolated, purified eosinophils, we have developed a kinetic, colorimetric assay to measure EPO concentration as a function of maximum velocity of reaction (Vmax). An automated method for determining Vmax in a 96-well microplate colorimetric assay was utilized over a wide range of substrate concentrations. Concentrations greater than or equal to 3 x 10(-8) g/ml could be determined reliably with this assay. Peroxidase activity was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the addition of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AMT). The EPO concentration in eosinophils determined by this kinetic method was approximately 1.1 x 10(-5) g/10(6) eosinophils. Eosinophil activation with 10(-6) M f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) caused substantial EPO secretion (9.0 +/- 1.7% vs. 2.9 +/- 0.6% total EPO content for control, P = 0.05) and decrease in eosinophil EPO concentration (92.3 +/- 4.2% of control, P = 0.038). Secretion was enhanced by the addition of 5 micrograms/ml cytochalasin B to 10(-6) M fMLP (25.9 +/- 12.7% total EPO content, P = 0.043 vs. control); similar decreases were noted in eosinophil EPO concentration (71.7 +/- 16.1% of control, P = 0.043). These data demonstrate that determination of EPO secretion by measurement of Vmax is a reliable, accurate method for precise quantification of this enzyme in media containing purified eosinophils or eosinophil products in the absence of other forms of peroxidase activity.

Amitrole↗
PubMed2003

The stimulus-dependent release of eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil protein x increases in apoptotic eosinophils.

Apoptotic cells are regarded as inert bodies that turn off intracellular processes and functional abilities. To study the changes in the ability of eosinophils to release their granule proteins while undergoing apoptosis. Eosinophils were cultured for up to 72 h. Living cells were separated from the apoptotic cells and their release of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX) was measured in response to serum-opsonized sephadex particles and phorbol 12-myristate 12-acetate (PMA). Changes in cell structure were examined by electron microscopy, and surface receptor expression of beta1- and beta2-integrins was investigated by flow cytometry. Stimulus-dependent release of the granule proteins ECP and EPX was found to increase in apoptotic eosinophils, whereas surface expression of beta1- and beta2-integrins was downregulated. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the granules of apoptotic eosinophils were translocated to the periphery of the cell, just beneath the plasma membrane. Apoptotic eosinophils are able to release their toxic granule proteins, which is probably because of the rearrangement of the cytoskeleton and spontaneous translocation of granules to the membrane. Our results suggest that apoptotic eosinophils are potentially harmful cells that have retained their ability to react to certain extracellular stimuli. The findings point to unexpected consequences of eosinophil apoptosis.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1996

Deposits of eosinophil granule proteins in eosinophilic cholecystitis and eosinophilic colitis associated with hypereosinophilic syndrome.

A case of hypereosinophilic syndrome with eosinophilic colitis, eosinophilic cholecystitis, and increased serum levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is reported. Immunohistochemical studies of cholecystectomy and colon biopsy specimens with monoclonal antibodies, which are specific for activated eosinophils, secreted eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and for major basic protein (MBP), demonstrated the presence of numerous activated eosinophils, secretion of ECP, and deposition of MBP in areas of tissue damage. These findings suggest that in eosinophilic cholecystitis and eosinophilic colitis, activated eosinophils infiltrate and degranulate in each tissue, releasing eosinophil granule proteins that produce tissue damage.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effects of prednisolone on eosinophils, IL-5, eosinophil cationic protein, EG2+ eosinophils, and nitric oxide metabolites in the sputum of patients with exacerbated asthma.

Corticosteroids are considered to be one of the most effective medicine for asthma by suppressing airway inflammation. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of prednisolone in the sputum of exacerbated asthmatics. Clinical severity, cell differentials, levels of interleukin (IL)-5, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), EG2+ eosinophils, and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites were measured. Sputum was examined 2 weeks apart in 13 exacerbated asthmatics before and after prednisolone treatment, and once in 12 stable asthmatics. We used a sandwich ELISA for IL-5, fluoroimmunoassay for ECP, immunohistochemical staining for EG2+ eosinophils, a NO metabolites assay using modified Griess reaction. Exacerbated asthmatics, in comparison with stable asthmatics, had significantly higher proportion of eosinophils, higher level of ECP, higher percentage of EG2+ eosinophils, and NO metabolites. Exacerbated asthmatics after treatment with prednisolone had reduced the proportions of eosinophils, reduced level of IL-5, ECP and percentage of EG2+ eosinophils. FEV1 was correlated with the proportion of eosinophils, ECP, and IL-5 respectively. These findings suggest that prednisolone is considered to be effective medicine for asthma by suppressing eosinophil activation through IL-5.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

High concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil protein X in eosinophilic pleural effusions.

To analyze the association of the eosinophil granulocyte with pleural effusions, we measured the concentrations of two eosinophil proteins, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X (EPX), in pleural fluid and serum of 92 patients with pleural effusions of various causes. We observed significantly higher ECP and EPX concentrations in eosinophilic than in noneosinophilic pleural effusions (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and a positive correlation between the concentrations of both eosinophil proteins in pleural fluid and the total number of eosinophils in pleural fluid (ECP: r = 0.66, p < 0.0001; and EPX: r = 0.62, p < 0.0001). There was a positive correlation between the concentrations of ECP in pleural fluid and serum (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001) and between the concentrations of EPX in pleural fluid and serum (r = 0.41, p < 0.001). High ECP and EPX concentrations in pleural fluid indicated nonspecific etiology and not tuberculosis as the cause of the effusion. Our results suggest that eosinophils in pleural effusions release eosinophil proteins and probably actively participate in the local inflammatory reaction.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1988

Human eosinophil hematopoiesis studied in vitro by means of murine eosinophil differentiation factor (IL5): production of functionally active eosinophils from normal human bone marrow.

The production of human eosinophils in vitro from normal bone marrow by using murine eosinophil differentiation factor (mEDF/interleukin 5) is described. Eosinophil production was selective and first detectable after 14 days and reached a peak between 21 and 35 days when they were the predominant cell type (41% to 89%). Until day 14, all the eosinophils were typical myelocytes, developing thereafter into metamyelocytes and mature cells. All cell types had characteristic light- and electron-microscopic features, apart from the absence of granules with crystalline cores. The eosinophils produced were readily recovered, and both immature myelocytes and mature cells were functionally active in an antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay. mEDF added into the assay enhanced the cytotoxicity but to a lower degree than previously reported for peripheral blood eosinophils, which suggests that they may be partially activated. The possibility that eosinophils could be deactivated was tested by removing mEDF from the culture medium. The eosinophils retained viability and functional activity, however, and showed no increased ability to be activated by mEDF for up to six days after removing the mEDF. The liquid culture of human bone marrow was shown to be an alternative assay for eosinophil differentiation factors to colony formation.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Eosinophil soluble protein levels, eosinophil peroxidase and eosinophil cationic protein in asthmatic patients.

Eosinophil granular proteins are useful eosinophil activation markers in asthmatic patients. In this study, eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were assessed in different stages of bronchial asthma in 123 patients suffering from intrinsic (n = 42) and extrinsic (n = 81) asthma, with the aim of evaluating the difference in the protein levels between both types of asthma and their importance as a severity marker of the disease. The geometric mean serum level of EPO was 12.3 +/- 2.17 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) in controls, and 38.6 +/- 3.4 ng/ml in the asthmatic patients. Mean ECP levels were 13.22 +/- 1.11 ng/ml in controls and 30.5 +/- 2.38 ng/ml in patients. Depending on the asthma severity, the EPO levels were 30.4 +/- 4.35, 38.7 +/- 5.29, and 54.46 +/- 9.46 ng/ml in mild, moderate and severe asthmatics, respectively, with the differences being significant between the groups of patients with mild and severe asthma (p < 0.001). ECP levels were 24.23 +/- 3.37 in mild, 31.69 +/- 4.21 in moderate, and 37.61 +/- 4.52 ng/ml in severe asthma. There were significant differences in ECP levels between mild and moderate asthma (p < 0.001) and between mild and severe asthma (p < 0.001). Peripheral eosinophil count was 157 +/- 20 eosinophils/mm3 in controls, 334 +/- 35 eosinophils/mm3 in mild asthmatics, 510 +/- 87 eosinophils/mm3 in moderate asthmatics and 658 +/- 72 eosinophil/mm3 in severe asthmatics, with significant differences between all groups (p < 0.05-p < 0.001). Serum EPO and ECP levels and peripheral eosinophil count were significantly greater in patients with active asthma than in patients with silent asthma (p < 0.001). Significant negative correlations (p < 0.001) were found between serum EPO levels and FEV1 (rs = -0.30), MEF25-75 (rs = -0.33), MEF50 (rs = -0.34). There was also a significant (p < 0.001) and negative correlation between ECP levels and FEV1 (rs = -0.31), MEF25-75 (rs = -0.31), MEF50 (rs = -0.32). A good positive correlation was found between peripheral eosinophil count and EPO levels (rs = 0.80, p < 0.001), and ECP levels (rs = 0.67, p < 0.001). We also found a significant positive correlation between clinical score and peripheral eosinophil count (rs = 0.54, p < 0.001), EPO levels (rs = 0.46, p < 0.001) and ECP levels (rs = 0.52, p < 0.001).

Adolescent↗