Premium
Eosinophils and Th2 immunity: contemporary insights
Author(s) -
Spencer Lisa A,
Weller Peter F
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.2009.115
Subject(s) - immune system , immunity , immunology , effector , biology , innate immune system , acquired immune system , function (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology
Eosinophils, innate immune leukocytes elicited by Th2 cells, have long been associated with the effector arm of Th2 immune responses. However, accumulating data over the past decade reveal a much more dynamic picture of Th2 immunity, where eosinophils are present very early in response to Th2‐inducing agents and function in the initiation of Th2 immunity. Here we discuss recent data showing immune functions of eosinophils distinct from their previously appreciated tissue‐ and helminth‐destructive capacities, providing strong evidence for a new paradigm of Th2 immunity defined by a dynamic interplay between eosinophils and T cells.