Biological basis and clinical implications of immunological molecules involved in eosinophilic inflammation in allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and asthma

Abstract

Eosinophils are specialized and multifunctional immune cells that are involved in both protection and pathology in human health and disease. Eosinophils have been thought to play an important role in parasitic infection, and defense against parasites is one of the main functions of eosinophils. Eosinophils also have damaging effects on the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, especially allergic disorders. A large number of inflammatory mediators including cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules are associated with the development and chemotaxis of eosinophils. Allergic rhinitis and asthma are typical respiratory diseases with eosinophilic inflammation, and eosinophils are also involved in the onset and development of some types of chronic rhinosinusitis. The purpose of this review is to summarize the physiology of eosinophils and to discuss potential therapeutic targets related to eosinophils in allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and asthma. Keywords: eosinophil; rhinitis; rhinosinusitis; sinusitis; asthma; airway; cytokine; chemokine; interleukin; receptor (Published: 17 February 2015) Citation: Advances in Cellular and Molecular Otolaryngology 2015, 3: 26601 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/acmo.v3.26601