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Human eosinophils express messenger RNA encoding RANTES and store and release biologically active RANTES protein
S Ying1, Q Meng, L Taborda-Barata
1National Heart and Lung Institute, London, England, GB.
European Journal of Immunology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Human eosinophils synthesize and store RANTES, a key chemokine for allergic inflammation. This study demonstrates eosinophils
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Eosinophils are known to produce cytokines.
- RANTES (Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted) is a CC-chemokine with potent eosinophil chemotactic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether human eosinophils synthesize and store RANTES.
- To determine the role of eosinophils as a source of RANTES in allergic inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect RANTES mRNA.
- In situ hybridization (ISH) to localize RANTES mRNA expression in eosinophils.
- Immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect RANTES protein.
- In vitro stimulation assays with interferon-gamma and serum-coated particles.
- Analysis of biopsies from allergen-induced late-phase cutaneous reactions.
Main Results:
- RANTES mRNA was detected in peripheral blood eosinophils from atopic subjects, increasing with interferon-gamma stimulation.
- Eosinophils contained significant intracellular RANTES protein, which was released upon stimulation.
- Culture supernatants from stimulated eosinophils exhibited chemotactic activity inhibited by anti-RANTES antibody.
- In allergen-induced skin reactions, a significant proportion of infiltrating RANTES mRNA-expressing cells were eosinophils.
- Allergen challenge increased RANTES immunoreactivity in cells, predominantly eosinophils.
Conclusions:
- Human eosinophils possess the capacity to synthesize, store, and secrete RANTES.
- Eosinophils may serve as a crucial source of RANTES in the context of allergic inflammation.