Mechanisms and pharmacological manipulation of eosinophil accumulation in vivo

The presence of eosinophils and their products in tissues is frequently associated with the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. A better understanding of how these cells are recruited from the microcirculation will help in the development of therapies targeted at allergic disorders. Here, Mauro Teixeira, Timothy Williams and Paul Hellewell describe the current concepts of eosinophil accumulation, examine the potential ways of modulating this process, and discuss whether antagonists of eosinophil-specific mediators or functional antagonists would be the preferred therapies.