Eosinophil, basophil leukocytes and mast cells in allergic inflammation

Abstract

Recent advances in the study of eosinophils, basophil leukocytes and mast cells in allergic inflammation of the airway are summarized, including their chemotaxis, mediator release and function.Different kinds of chemotactic factors for eosinophil leukocytes are reported. Of them, ECF-A may be the most important in specifity, intensity and the amount released in allergic lesion. On the other hand the chemotactic factor for basophil leukocyte is still not at all understood.Both eosinophil, basophil leukocytes and mast cells are degranulated and release extracelluraly different kinds of inflammatory mediators as sequences of allergic reaction.From basophil leukocytes and mast cells, mediators such as histamine, proteoglycan, proteases, hydrolytic enzymes, oxydative enzymes, kinin, eosinophil chemotactic factor, leukotrien C4 and B4, thromboxane A2 and prostaglandin et al. are released; and from eosinophil leukocytes, mediators such as neutral proteases, hydrolytic enzymes, oxidative enzymes, major basic protein, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil derived neurotoxin, Charcot Leyden Crystal, leukotrien C4, prostaglandin E1 and E2, platelet activating factor et al. are released.These mediators produce various pathological conditions, that is, contraction of the smooth muscles, increased permeability of the blood vessels, hypersecretion from the secretory glands, migration of the white cells, and irritation to the nerves. In allergic rhinitis, histamine and leukotrien may play the most important role in these inflammatory processes.