Synthesis and secretion of eosinophil granule substances

There has been a rapid growth in knowledge about eosinophils during the past 2-3years. This recent work defined the way in which eosinophil production is regulated; their capacity to make a range of biologically important molecules; the nature of the constituents stored within them; the ways in which they are induced to synthesize and release these products; and, perhaps most important, the effects of these products on parasites, cells and tissues. In this article Christopher Spry reviews several aspects of this recent research.