[The role of eosinophilic leukocytes in inflammatory dermatoses]

The specific role of eosinophils in inflammatory reactions is still largely unknown. Recent findings give however new insights into their function. The granules of eosinophils contain several enzymes which inactivate mediators of inflammation released from mast cells and basophils. The specific attraction of eosinophils to tissue sites is induced by several eosinophil chemotactic factors which have been identified among the products of the complement cascade of arachidonic acid, of lymphocytes (ECF-P, ESP), mast cells (ECF-A) and granulocytes (ECF). ECF and ECF-A have been demonstrated in serum and blister fluid of dermatological patients. These findings offer, for the first time, a molecular basis for the understanding of eosinophilia and for the role of eosinophils in disease.