[Adhesion to fibronectin regulates expression of adhesion molecules on eosinophils]

To elucidate the mechanism for the accumulation of eosinophils through adherence in allergic inflammation, we investigate whether adhesion of eosinophils to extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates the expression of adhesion molecules on eosinophils. Highly purified eosinophils obtained from asthmatic patients were cultured on BSA or fibronectin (FN) coated plates for 4 or 48 hours. After then, removed cells were examined about the expression of each adhesion molecule. Cultured on FN resulted in the increment of the expressive CR 3 (CD11b) (BSA vs FN; MFI ratio 10.50 vs 12.09 p < 0.05), and decrement of the expressive VLA-4 (CD49d) on the eosinophils (3.93 vs 2.91 (4 h) p < 0.05, 2.86 vs 2.09 (48 h) p < 0.05). Thus, we could conclude that eosinophils adhesion to ECM via adhesion molecules might play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation through the involvement in the regulation of the expression of adhesion molecules on eosinophils.