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Human peripheral blood eosinophils express and release interleukin-8
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Human eosinophils constitutively express interleukin-8 (IL-8). In asthma and atopic dermatitis, eosinophils show increased IL-8, suggesting a role for this cytokine in inflammatory conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Allergy and Inflammation Research
Background:
- Eosinophils are immune cells capable of synthesizing various cytokines.
- Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a key cytokine involved in inflammatory responses.
- Constitutive expression of IL-8 by eosinophils has not been fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the constitutive expression of IL-8 mRNA and protein in resting human eosinophils.
- To determine if IL-8 expression is upregulated in eosinophils of patients with bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis.
- To examine the release of intracellular IL-8 from eosinophils upon stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of freshly prepared human eosinophils.
- Detection of IL-8 mRNA and protein expression.
- Stimulation of eosinophils with cytokines (granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor, RANTES) and platelet-activating factor (PAF).
Main Results:
- Freshly isolated resting human eosinophils constitutively express IL-8 mRNA and protein.
- Eosinophils, but not neutrophils, from patients with bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis exhibit upregulated IL-8 protein expression.
- Priming with granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor followed by stimulation with RANTES or PAF induced IL-8 release from eosinophils in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Human eosinophils are a source of IL-8.
- IL-8 may play a specific role in the pathogenesis of asthma and atopic dermatitis due to its upregulation in eosinophils.
- Eosinophil-derived IL-8 can be released upon appropriate stimulation, contributing to local inflammatory processes.