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Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Isolation of Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells from Mouse Nasal Mucosa to Detect the Expression of CD226
Published on: May 10, 2022
Apoptotic eosinophils express IL-2R chains alpha and beta and co-stimulatory molecules CD28 and CD86
Kristina Seton1, Lena Håkansson, Marie Carlson
1Department of Medical Sciences, Unit of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala 5-751 85, Sweden. kristina.seton@medsci.uu.se
Background:
IL-2 and the IL-2 receptor are most commonly connected to lymphocytes and the proliferation of T-cells. In addition, the co-stimulatory molecules CD28, CD86 and CD40 are associated to lymphocytes and antigen processing. Under certain conditions, eosinophils are also able to express these antigens on their surface.
Objective:
In this study we explored the apoptotic mechanisms by looking for a surface expression on eosinophils exclusive to apoptosis.
Methods:
Flow cytometry analysis was performed on fresh and cultured isolated eosinophils from healthy blood donors and allergic patients. The cells were cultured up to 72 h and then incubated with monoclonal antibodies toward cell surface antigens.
Results:
After culture, the apoptotic eosinophils, but not the viable cells, expressed CD25, CD122, CD28 (B7-ligand) and CD86 (B7-2). The expression of CD9, a common eosinophil marker, was maintained on viable cells, but absent on the apoptotic eosinophils. Addition of IL-2 to the culture did not influence the viability of the cells.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that apoptotic eosinophils have a unique signalling system and might function in ways different from the role of the living eosinophil. The apoptotic eosinophil expresses markers that indicate communication with lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells.
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