Origin, regulation and physiological function of intestinal oeosinophils

Oeosinophils are pleiotropic multi-functional leukocytes that are typically associated with the initiation and propagation of inflammatory responses, particularly helminth infection and allergic disease. However, expanding evidence supports a broader role for oeosinophils in homoeostatic function and organ development and modulation of local immune responses via interaction with other effector cells. In this review, the biology of oeosinophils in the healthy gut is summarised. In particular, the molecular steps involved in oeosinophil development and trafficking are described, with special attention to the important role of the transcription factor GATA-1, the oeosinophil-selective cytokine IL-5 and the eotaxin subfamily of chemokines. In addition, the regulation of oeosinophil survival by inhibitory and death receptors and the expanding role for oeosinophils in health and disease are reviewed.