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Human peripheral eosinophils express functional interferon-gamma receptors (IFN-gammaR)
C Ishihara1, K Ochiai, M Kagami
1Department of Paediatrics, Toho University School of Medicine, Sakura Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|December 31, 1997
Summary
Human peripheral eosinophils express functional Interferon-gamma receptors (IFN-gammaR). This study confirms IFN-gammaR expression and demonstrates its role in regulating eosinophil function, impacting conditions like asthma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Allergy and Asthma Research
Background:
- Eosinophils play a key role in allergic inflammation and immune responses.
- The function of eosinophils is regulated by various signaling pathways, including cytokine receptors.
- Interferon-gamma receptor (IFN-gammaR) involvement in eosinophil regulation was previously unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and function of Interferon-gamma receptors (IFN-gammaR) on human peripheral eosinophils.
- To determine if IFN-gammaR signaling influences eosinophil activation and function.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to detect IFN-gammaR alpha-chain expression on eosinophils from healthy controls and patients with asthma or hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES).
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression for the IFN-gammaR alpha-chain was analyzed.
- Binding experiments with radiolabeled Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) characterized IFN-gammaR affinity and density.
- Recombinant human IFN-gamma (rhIFN-gamma) stimulation was used to assess functional responses, including Eosinophilic Cationic Protein (ECP) and CD69 expression, with and without blocking antibodies.
Main Results:
- All tested human peripheral eosinophils expressed the IFN-gammaR alpha-chain, confirmed by antibody reaction and mRNA detection.
- High-affinity binding sites for IFN-gamma were identified on eosinophils.
- rhIFN-gamma stimulation induced dose-dependent expression of ECP and CD69, indicating eosinophil activation.
- These IFN-gamma-induced effects were significantly inhibited by neutralizing anti-IFN-gamma and anti-IFN-gammaR antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Human peripheral eosinophils express functional Interferon-gamma receptors (IFN-gammaR).
- IFN-gammaR signaling can modulate eosinophil activation and the expression of key functional markers like ECP and CD69.
- These findings suggest a regulatory role for IFN-gamma in eosinophil-mediated immune responses and inflammatory conditions.