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Eosinophils: ‘new’ roles for ‘old’ cells
Author(s) -
Munitz A.,
LeviSchaffer F.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2003.00442.x
Subject(s) - immunology , eosinophilia , eosinophil , medicine , mast cell , inflammation , biology , asthma
Prominent blood and tissue eosinophilia is manifested in a number of inflammatory states, particularly in allergic diseases. Eosinophils are a source of numerous cytokines and growth factors, thus in principle they can display both pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory activities as well as immunoregulatory ones. In this review, we will discuss the cross‐talk between eosinophils and other cell types that they come in contact with in the inflammatory milieu, such as mast cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. ‘New’ roles for eosinophils in cancer and novel activatory signals will also be described.