Abstract
Eosinophils are multifunctional granulocytes that contribute to initiation and modulation of inflammation. Their role in asthma and parasitic infections has long been recognized. Growing evidence now reveals a role for eosinophils in autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the function of eosinophils in inflammatory bowel diseases, neuromyelitis optica, bullous pemphigoid, autoimmune myocarditis, primary biliary cirrhosis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and other autoimmune diseases. Clinical studies, eosinophil-targeted therapies, and experimental models have contributed to our understanding of the regulation and function of eosinophils in these diseases. By examining the role of eosinophils in autoimmune diseases of different organs, we can identify common pathogenic mechanisms. These include degranulation of cytotoxic granule proteins, induction of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, release of proteases degrading extracellular matrix, immune modulation through cytokines, antigen presentation, and prothrombotic functions. The association of eosinophilic diseases with autoimmune diseases is also examined, showing a possible increase in autoimmune diseases in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and non-allergic asthma. Finally, we summarize key future research needs.
Highlights
The cells of the innate immune system can contribute to autoimmune diseases
We found that induction of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in these IL-5Tg mice reliably induces eosinophilic myocarditis with over 60% of the heart-infiltrating cells being eosinophils [240]
By using the EAM model, we found that eosinophil-deficient mice are protected from dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) following myocarditis, while hypereosinophilic IL-5Tg mice developed more severe DCM
Summary
The cells of the innate immune system can contribute to autoimmune diseases. Possible roles for innate immune cells exist in the initiation stage of autoimmune diseases and in the modulation and propagation of inflammation and tissue destruction. Such roles have been proposed for neutrophils [4], natural killer cells [5, 6], macrophages [7], dendritic cells [8, 9], innate lymphoid cells [10], and mast cells [11]. The aim of this review is to synthesize the role of eosinophils in different autoimmune diseases and explore potential unifying effector mechanisms.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
