Solving the Conundrum of Eosinophils in Alloimmunity

Abstract

Eosinophils are bone-marrow-derived granulocytes known for their ability to facilitate clearance of parasitic infections and their association with asthma and other inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the currently available human observational and animal experimental data linking eosinophils to the immunologic response in solid organ transplantation. First, we present observational human studies that demonstrate a link between transplantation and eosinophils yet were unable to define the exact role of this cell population. Next, we describe published experimental models and demonstrate a defined mechanistic role of eosinophils in downregulating the alloimmune response to murine lung transplants. The overall summary of this data suggests that further studies are needed to define the role of eosinophils in multiple solid organ allografts and points to the possibility of manipulating this cell population to improve graft survival.

Biomarkers for Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction: Ready for Prime Time?

“…Interestingly, the peak blood eosinophil count was found to be predictive of CLAD-free and graft survival, independent of BAL eosinophil counts, making this a possibly relevant cell type that requires further in-depth investigation. 71 Additionally, BOS is associated with increased peripheral blood NK and natural killer T-cell-like cells expressing granzymes, perforin, and T-helper 1 proinflammatory cytokines. 72,73 IL-10-secreting CD24hi CD38hi transitional B cells expressing CD9 are also associated with a better allograft outcome in lung transplant recipients.…”