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Adhesion to fibronectin prolongs eosinophil survival
A R Anwar1, R Moqbel, G M Walsh
1Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Fibronectin (Fn) enhances eosinophil survival in culture by stimulating the cells to produce their own cytokines. This mechanism may explain eosinophil accumulation in allergic inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Eosinophils play a key role in allergic inflammation and host defense.
- The mechanisms regulating eosinophil survival are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of fibronectin (Fn) adhesion on eosinophil survival in culture.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Fn-mediated eosinophil survival.
Main Methods:
- Human peripheral blood eosinophils were isolated and cultured on Fn-coated plates.
- Eosinophil survival was assessed using trypan blue exclusion.
- Cytokine levels and mRNA expression were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Fibronectin significantly enhanced eosinophil survival compared to control conditions.
- Fn-induced survival was inhibited by antibodies against Fn, VLA-4, IL-3, and GM-CSF.
- Eosinophils cultured on Fn produced Interleukin-3 (IL-3) and Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF).
Conclusions:
- Fibronectin promotes eosinophil survival through autocrine cytokine production.
- The very late antigen 4 (VLA-4) receptor is involved in this process.
- This pathway may contribute to eosinophil recruitment in allergic diseases.