Eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

Although we know that eosinophils reside in the normal gastrointestinal tract and increase during inflammatory states, their exact role in gut homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of inflammatory processes is not certain. An increasing number of clinical reports suggest that eosinophils participate in the pathogenesis of mucosal inflammation, and emerging literature is beginning to define these mechanisms. For example, homing of eosinophils to the gastrointestinal tract is better understood with respect to the roles of specific eosinophilic attractants, such as the eotaxins and interleukin-5. As mechanisms of eosinophil recruitment, activation, and functional responses are further elucidated, novel targets for treatment strategies in specific diseases will likely follow. We review recent developments in eosinophil immunobiology as they relate to gastrointestinal inflammation and provide an update on clinical aspects of eosinophilic esophagitis as they relate to eosoinophilic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Eosinophilic Colitis: University of Minnesota Experience and Literature Review

“…A case report by Inamura et al [5] demonstrated the accumulation of mast cells in the colon interstitium after immunohistochemical staining for mast cell tryptase, which may suggest a possible pathogenic role of IgE. Specific eosinophil chemoattractants, such as interleukin-5 and eotaxins, may also have a pathogenic role in EC [6]. Hahn and Hornick [7] specifically evaluated mast cells in mucosal biopsies from patients with systemic mastocytosis and a group of patients with diverse inflammatory disorders.…”

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ mediates chemotactic responses of human eosinophils to platelet-activating factor

“…In particular, the signalling pathways responsible for evoking migration of human eosinophils and their activation at the inflammatory focus are incompletely understood. Understanding of the mechanisms involved in eosinophil recruitment, activation and survival at sites of inflammation may be useful for the development of novel therapies to control diseases in which eosinophils play a pathophysiological role, such as bronchial asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases, atopic dermatitis and myocarditis [1][2][3][4].…”

A Survey about Irritable Bowel Syndrome in South Korea

“…Various kinds of cytokines such as lymphotoxin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were reported to be included in this process. It is known that intestinal eosinophils play a role in several inflammatory conditions such as infections, hypersensitivity reactions, and several other chronic intestinal disorders [48,49]. Therefore, considering the large number of reports that emphasize the roles of inflammatory process involving mast cells in the pathophysiology of IBS [50][51][52], the pathologic findings mentioned above deserve to be studied sufficiently.…”