Localization of sialyl glycoconjugates in eosinophil-specific granules after degranulation stimuli

Sialyl glycoconjugates, a group of the acidic glycoconjugates, are expressed in murine eosinophil-specific granules through their maturational stages. To clarify whether the sialyl glycoconjugates work as functional molecules in the process of eosinophil degranulation, we examined the localization of sialyl residues after degranulation stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187 or interleukin-5. Although sialyl residues were localized in the specific granules before degranulation, they were dissociated from the granules after the stimuli. These results suggest that sialyl glycoconjugates participate extensively in the process of eosinophil degranulation.