Abstract
Eosinophils are bone marrow-derived granulocytes that are traditionally associated with type 2 immune responses, such as those that occur during parasite infections and allergy. Emerging evidence demonstrates the remarkable functional plasticity of this elusive cell type and its pleiotropic functions in diverse settings. Eosinophils broadly contribute to tissue homeostasis, host defence and immune regulation, predominantly at mucosal sites. The scope of their activities primarily reflects the breadth of their portfolio of secreted mediators, which range from cytotoxic cationic proteins and reactive oxygen species to multiple cytokines, chemokines and lipid mediators. Here, we comprehensively review basic eosinophil biology that is directly related to their activities in homeostasis, protective immunity, regeneration and cancer. We examine how dysregulation of these functions contributes to the physiopathology of a broad range of inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, we discuss recent findings regarding the tissue compartmentalization and adaptation of eosinophils, shedding light on the factors that likely drive their functional diversification within tissues.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by an Eccellenza Professorial Fellowship (PCEFP3_187021) and a Consolidator Grant (TMCG-3_213857) from the Swiss National Science Foundation to I.C.A., the US–Israel Bi-national Science Foundation (grant no. 2015163), Israel Science Foundation (grants no. 542/20), Israel Cancer Research Fund, Israel Cancer Association, Dotan Hemato-oncology Fund, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv University and Azrieli Foundation Canada-Israel to A.M.
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Glossary
- ΔdblGATA mice
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Genetically modified mice that have been engineered to lack both copies of GATA1 in their genome, resulting in complete ablation of the eosinophil lineage.
- Alarmins
-
A termed used for a group of endogenous proteins or peptides with chemotactic and immune cell-activating properties that are released upon cell injury or death.
- Alanine transaminase
-
(ALT). An enzyme mainly expressed in the liver, but released into the blood following liver cell damage. An ALT test measures the amount of ALT in the blood.
- Alternatively activated macrophage
-
A term used to describe macrophages activated in vitro in an anti-inflammatory manner with IL-4 or IL-10. In vivo macrophages are highly specialized, transcriptomically dynamic and extremely heterogeneous with regard to their phenotypes and functions, which are continuously shaped by their tissue microenvironment.
- Central tolerance
-
A crucial process in the immune system that occurs in the thymus where developing T cells that recognize self-antigens with high affinity undergo apoptotic cell death or are rendered functionally inactive.
- Fibro-adipogenic progenitors
-
(FAPs). A type of mesenchymal stem cell found within skeletal muscle tissues that have significant roles in the context of muscle regeneration by differentiating into myofibroblasts and subsequently contributing to the generation of new muscle fibres.
- Fractional exhaled nitric oxide
-
(FeNO). A noninvasive biomarker that is used to assess airway inflammation, particularly in diseases such as asthma. It measures the concentration of nitric oxide gas in a person’s exhaled breath.
- Pruritus
-
A medical term used to describe the sensation that prompts a desire to scratch an affected area of the skin.
- Side-scatter
-
(SSC). A term used in flow cytometry to describe a measurement that can be used to measure the granularity or internal complexity of a cell.
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Arnold, I.C., Munitz, A. Spatial adaptation of eosinophils and their emerging roles in homeostasis, infection and disease. Nat Rev Immunol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-024-01048-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-024-01048-y
