Characteristics of CR3-mediated aggregation in human eosinophils: effect of priming by platelet-activating factor

The Eosinophil in Health and Disease: from Bench to Bedside and Back

Historically, eosinophils have been considered as end-stage cells involved in host protection against parasitic infection and in the mechanisms of hypersensitivity. However, later studies have shown that this multifunctional cell is also capable of producing immunoregulatory cytokines and soluble mediators and is involved in tissue homeostasis and modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. In this review, we summarize the biology of eosinophils, including the function and molecular mechanisms of their granule proteins, cell surface markers, mediators, and pathways, and present comprehensive reviews of research updates on the genetics and epigenetics of eosinophils. We describe recent advances in the development of epigenetics of eosinophil-related diseases, especially in asthma. Likewise, recent studies have provided us with a more complete appreciation of how eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases, including hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Over the past decades, the definition and criteria of HES have been evolving with the progress of our understanding of the disease and some aspects of this disease still remain controversial. We also review recent updates on the genetic and molecular mechanisms of HES, which have spurred dramatic developments in the clinical strategies of diagnosis and treatment for this heterogeneous group of diseases. The conclusion from this review is that the biology of eosinophils provides significant insights as to their roles in health and disease and, furthermore, demonstrates that a better understanding of eosinophil will accelerate the development of new therapeutic strategies for patients.

Ultrastructural descriptions of heterotypic aggregation between eosinophils and tumor cells in human gastric carcinomas

A histological variant of gastric adenocarcinoma, characterized by an intense tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE), has been occasionally reported in the literature. The purpose of this ultrastructural study was to determine the interactions between frequently occurring eosinophils and tumor cells in gastric carcinoma characterized by TATE. Fresh tumor tissue of 92 gastric carcinomas was processed for both light and electron microscopic examination. Intense TATE was found in 7 out of 92 (7.6%) gastric carcinomas (6 of intestinal-type and 1 of diffuse-type). Electron microscopy, selectively performed in 7 cases with intense TATE, revealed eosinophils, singly or in groups, in contact with damaged or necrotic tumor cells. Activated eosinophils showing piecemeal degranulation were also found in intimate contact with viable tumor cells, characterized by plasma membrane caveolar invaginations. The authors regard this close morphological relationship as in vivo evidence for possible cross-talk between eosinophil and viable tumor cell, a conclusion that has already been drawn from experimental studies, but until now inadequately supported by ultrastructural observations in a human tumor.

Functional role of eosinophils in gastrointestinal inflammation

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal (GI) diseases (EGIDs) are characterized by a rich eosinophilic inflammation of the GI tract. Clinical and experimental studies suggest that eosinophils have a pathogenic role in EGIDs; however, the function of eosinophils in these diseases remains an enigma. This article describes eosinophil immunoregulatory and effector function and discusses the possible involvement of these pathways in EGIDs.

Eosinophils: biological properties and role in health and disease

Eosinophils are pleiotropic multifunctional leukocytes involved in initiation and propagation of diverse inflammatory responses, as well as modulators of innate and adaptive immunity. In this review, the biology of eosinophils is summarized, focusing on transcriptional regulation of eosinophil differentiation, characterization of the growing properties of eosinophil granule proteins, surface proteins and pleiotropic mediators, and molecular mechanisms of eosinophil degranulation. New views on the role of eosinophils in homeostatic function are examined, including developmental biology and innate and adaptive immunity (as well as their interaction with mast cells and T cells) and their proposed role in disease processes including infections, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders. Finally, strategies for targeted therapeutic intervention in eosinophil-mediated mucosal diseases are conceptualized.

Expression of the neutrophil-activating CXC chemokine ENA-78/CXCL5 by human eosinophils

BACKGROUND

Eosinophils are seen at sites of inflammation in diseases such as helminthic infestation, asthma, ulcerative colitis and some neoplastic diseases. They are also associated with connective tissue remodelling, for example in longstanding asthma. In the present study, we investigated whether eosinophils express the CXC chemokine epithelial cell-derived neutrophil activating peptide (ENA-78/CXCL5), a chemokine that can activate neutrophils and in addition possesses angiogenic properties. Immunocytochemistry detected CXCL5 in eosinophils and the peptide was localized in the specific granules by immunoelectron microscopy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In eosinophil lysates, 12 +/- 2 pg (mean +/- SEM) of CXCL5 was detected per 106 cells by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Weak constitutive expression of CXCL5, as well as the related CXC chemokine IL-8/CXCL8, could be detected in freshly isolated eosinophils by RT-PCR. However, during prolonged incubation of eosinophils, a strong increase in both CXCL5 and IL-8/CXCL8 expression was seen, as detected by RT-PCR, and increasing amounts of CXCL5 peptide with time were detected in the incubation medium by ELISA. Addition of TNF-alpha neutralizing antibodies during prolonged incubation significantly inhibited CXCL5 production, demonstrating involvement of auto- and paracrine effects from TNF-alpha produced by eosinophils themselves. Addition of IFN-gamma showed a strong inhibitory effect on CXCL5 synthesis.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that, through expression of CXCL5, eosinophils can recruit and activate CXC receptor 2 (CXCR2)-bearing cells such as neutrophils at sites of inflammation. Eosinophils may also promote connective tissue remodelling through release of this peptide.

Biological activities of ecalectin: a novel eosinophil-activating factor

Ecalectin, produced by Ag-stimulated T lymphocytes, is a potent eosinophil-specific chemoattractant in vitro as well as in vivo and thus is implicated in allergic responses. Ecalectin differs structurally from other known eosinophil chemoattractants (ECAs); ecalectin belongs to the galectin family defined by their affinity for beta-galactosides and by their conserved carbohydrate recognition domains. These characteristic features suggest that ecalectin has unique activities associated with allergic inflammation besides ECA activity. Conversely, ecalectin may mediate ECA activity by binding to a receptor of a known ECA via affinity for the beta-galactosides present on this receptor. In this study, we have tested whether ecalectin mediates ECA activity by binding to a receptor of a known ECA, and we have assessed its effects on eosinophils. Ecalectin did not mediate ECA activity by binding to the IL-5R or to CCR3. Also, the ECA activity of ecalectin was mainly chemokinetic. In addition, ecalectin induced concentration-dependent eosinophil aggregation, a marker for eosinophil activation. Ecalectin induced concentration-dependent superoxide production from eosinophils but did not induce degranulation; usually these two events are coupled in eosinophil activation. Moreover, ecalectin directly prolonged eosinophil survival in vitro and did not trigger eosinophils to secrete cytokines that prolong eosinophil survival. These results demonstrate that ecalectin has several unique effects on eosinophils. Therefore, we conclude that ecalectin is a novel eosinophil-activating factor. Presumably, these effects allow ecalectin to play a distinctive role in allergic inflammation.

Interleukin-5 enhances eosinophil adhesion to bronchial epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Eosinophil-bronchial epithelial cell interactions are thought to be central to the pathogenesis of asthma, both in terms of the epithelium as a source of pro-inflammatory mediators and as a target for eosinophil-mediated damage. We have therefore investigated adhesion interactions between these two cell types.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the role of eosinophil and epithelial activation on eosinophil adhesion to bronchial epithelium and to characterize the adhesion receptors mediating eosinophil adhesion.

METHODS

Eosinophils were purified from human peripheral blood by immunomagnetic selection and adhesion to confluent cultures of the airway epithelial cell lines A549 and BEAS-2B was studied.

RESULTS

Stimulation of A549 cells with TNFalpha, IFNgamma or a combination of 50 ng/mL of TNFalpha, IFNgamma and IL-1 (cytomix) did not effect eosinophil binding despite an increase in ICAM-1 expression. Similarly stimulation of eosinophils with PAF or IL-5 had no effect on eosinophil binding to medium- or cytokine-treated A549 cells. In contrast stimulation of BEAS-2B cells with cytomix caused a significant increase in eosinophil adhesion. This was associated with an increase in expression of ICAM-1 and induced expression of VCAM-1. Treatment of eosinophils with Mn2+ and IL-5 but not eotaxin, RANTES or PAF also significantly enhanced eosinophil adhesion to medium-treated BEAS-2B cells. Using blocking mAbs we were able to demonstrate that the increased adhesion resulting from stimulation of eosinophils or BEAS-2B cells was in both cases mediated by a combination of CD18 and alpha4 integrins.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a selective role for IL-5 in mediating integrin-dependent eosinophil adhesion to airway epithelium and once again emphasizes the importance of this cytokine in controlling eosinophil activation in diseases such as asthma.

Role of arachidonic acid in leukotriene B(4)-induced guinea-pig eosinophil homotypic aggregation

The activation of eosinophils with the lipid mediator, leukotriene B(4), induces their homotypic aggregation. Upon activation with leukotriene B(4), eosinophils release a significant amount of arachidonic acid, a process dependent on the activation of phospholipase A(2). Here, we have evaluated whether arachidonic acid could induce aggregation of eosinophils and whether the release of arachidonic acid mediated the aggregation induced by leukotriene B(4). The exogenous administration of arachidonic acid induced a concentration-dependent eosinophil homotypic aggregation. Pretreatment of eosinophils with a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor or a leukotriene B(4) receptor antagonist abrogated arachidonic-acid-induced aggregation. Arachidonic acid induced a significant increase in leukotriene B(4) levels and desensitised leukotriene B(4)-induced aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, this desensitisation was effectively reversed by a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor. However, arachidonic acid failed to induce a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) in eosinophils and failed to desensitise these cells to rises in intracellular Ca(2+) induced by leukotriene B(4). Pretreatment of eosinophils with the phospholipase A(2) inhibitor, mepacrine, inhibited the aggregation responses induced by 1 nM leukotriene B(4) by approximately 50% but had no significant effect on the other concentrations of leukotriene B(4) tested (0.1 to 100 nM). In conclusion, arachidonic acid stimulates eosinophil aggregation indirectly via the release of leukotriene B(4). Although a significant amount of arachidonic acid is released in response to activation of eosinophils with leukotriene B(4), the arachidonic acid released does appear to play a major role in mediating leukotriene B(4)-induced eosinophil aggregation.

Analysis of Signal Transduction Pathways Regulating Cytokine-Mediated Fc Receptor Activation on Human Eosinophils

Igs can be potent stimulants of eosinophil activation since interaction with IgA or IgG-coated particles can lead to eosinophil degranulation. We have investigated the comparative roles of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (MAPKs; ERK1/2 and p38) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) in the priming and regulation of Fc receptor functioning on human eosinophils utilizing a MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD98059), a p38 inhibitor SB203580, and the widely used PI3K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002. We demonstrate that priming of human eosinophils with Th2-derived cytokines, IL-4 and IL-5, differentially activate phosphotyrosine-associated PI3K and ERK and p38 MAP kinases. This activation can be inhibited by pre-incubation with wortmannin or LY294002, PD98059, and SB203580, respectively. Analysis of the effects of the inhibitors on rosette formation between human eosinophils and IgA- or IgG-coated beads revealed that activation of MEK was not required for IgA binding after priming with IL-4 or IL-5. However, inhibition of MEK did inhibit IL-5-primed binding of IgG-beads. The rosette formation of primed eosinophils with IgA-beads could be completely inhibited by wortmannin and LY294002 treatment, demonstrating a critical role for PI3K. Interestingly, inhibition of the p38 pathway also resulted in a complete blockade of IgA rosette formation. This work demonstrates regulatory control by inside-out signaling of Fc receptors by various cytokines on human eosinophils. Thus in vivo the local production of Th2-derived cytokines will regulate the effector functions of Fc receptors.

Eosinophil leukocyte degranulation in response to serum-opsonized beads: C5a and platelet-activating factor enhance ECP release, with roles for protein kinases A and C

BACKGROUND

Eosinophils have a typical content of granule-bound, cytotoxic, cationic proteins which may, when released to the external milieu, play roles in diseases such as asthma and parasitic infestation. Therefore, we have investigated possible mechanisms by which their release is regulated in eosinophils.

METHODS

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect released eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Release of ECP was induced by serum-opsonized, nonphagocytosable Sephadex beads (SOS).

RESULTS

The complement fragment C5a and platelet-activating factor (PAF) were found to enhance ECP release in response to SOS in a dose-dependent fashion, and, contrary to previous reports, they were not found to act as secretagogues themselves on eosinophils in suspension. The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in eosinophil degranulation has been controversial. We found that ECP release induced by SOS was inhibited by the PKC inhibitors staurosporine and calphostin C. Activation of protein kinase A (PKA), by raising cAMP, also inhibited ECP release. Furthermore, pertussis toxin decreased ECP release on opsonized beads, indicating the involvement of pertussis-toxin-sensitive G proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

C5a, and PAF enhance granule release, rather than acting as secretagogues themselves. PKC and PKA have opposing roles in the regulation of ECP release in response to SOS.

Effects of agents which elevate cyclic AMP on guinea-pig eosinophil homotypic aggregation

1. Eosinophil recruitment and activation in inflamed tissue is thought to play an important role in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases. Experimental evidence suggests that elevating cyclic AMP is an effective means of reducing eosinophil recruitment in vivo and may therefore have therapeutic benefit. In the present study, we have assessed the capacity of cyclic AMP-elevating agents to modulate guinea-pig eosinophil homotypic aggregation, a CD18-dependent process, which may be an important component of eosinophil function in vivo. 2. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1, 10(-16) to 10(-6) M) inhibited platelet activating-factor (PAF)- and C5a-induced eosinophil aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. However, PAF-induced responses were more potently and more effectively inhibited by PGE1. The inhibitory effects of PGE1 on PAF-induced aggregation were reversed by pretreatment of eosinophils with the protein kinase A inhibitors H89 and KT5720. 3. The beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists, salbutamol and salmeterol, concentration-dependently inhibited eosinophil aggregation induced by C5a and PAF and, again. PAF-induced responses were more effectively reduced. The inhibitory effect of salmeterol was mediated by beta-adrenoceptors, as assessed by the reversal after pretreatment with propranolol. 4. Rolipram, a selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, also attenuated PAF- and C5a-induced aggregation and at a low concentration which did not affect aggregation per se, had a synergistic effect with PGE1 and salbutamol to suppress this response. 5. Activation of eosinophils with PAF or C5a induced a small but significant increase in the level of CD18 expression on the eosinophil surface. PGE1 (10(-7) M) decreased PAF- and C5a-induced upregulation of CD18 by 93% and 62%, respectively. 6. These results demonstrate that cyclic AMP-elevating agents effectively inhibit eosinophil aggregation, a CD18-dependent functional response. Because CD18 has been shown to be important for eosinophil recruitment to inflamed tissue in vivo, our findings may be of relevance to the efficacy of cyclic AMP-elevating agents at inhibiting eosinophil trafficking.

Priming effect of platelet activating factor on leukotriene C4 from stimulated eosinophils of asthmatic patients

BACKGROUND

Eosinophils from asthmatic patients are known to release greater amounts of leukotrienes than normal eosinophils when stimulated by the calcium ionophore A23187. The effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) in priming eosinophils was investigated.

METHODS

Eosinophils were obtained from 18 asthmatic patients and 18 healthy donors. Cells separated by the Percoll gradients were incubated with PAF (C-18) for 30 minutes and then stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187 (2.5 microM) for 15 minutes. The amount of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) in supernatants was measured using a combination of high pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) amount of LTC4 released by eosinophils from asthmatic patients upon stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187 alone was 27.9 (9.9) ng/10(6) cells (n = 6). The amount of LTC4 released following stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187 after pretreatment with PAF (1, 5, and 10 microM) was 57.2 (8.9), 75.1 (14.3), and 52.6 (10.7) ng/10(6) cells (n = 6), respectively. Trace amounts of LTC4 (0.9 (0.02) ng/10(6) cells, n = 6) were detected in the supernatant of the cells after stimulation by PAF alone (5 microM). The amount of LTC4 released upon stimulation by calcium ionophore A23187 alone in eosinophils from healthy donors was 10.3 (3.7) ng/10(6) cells (n = 4). The amounts of LTC4 released upon stimulation with calcium ionophore A23187 after pretreatment with PAF at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 microM were 11.9 (3.5), 17.8 (5.6), and 12.7 (5.1) ng/10(6) cells (n = 4), respectively. Trace amounts of LTC4 (0.6 (0.02) ng/10(6) cells, n = 4) were detected in the supernatant of the cells upon stimulation with PAF alone (5 microM). The amounts of LTC4 released upon stimulation with calcium ionophore A23187 after pretreatment with lyso-PAF at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 microM (n = 4 or 6) were 30.8 (5.2), 22.9 (5.1), and 27.3 (4.3) ng/10(6) cells (n = 6) from the eosinophils of asthmatic patients and 13.7 (3.3), 15.2 (4.9), and 14.7 (3.8) ng/10(6) cells (n = 4) from the eosinophils of healthy donors.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that PAF enhanced LTC4 formation by eosinophils obtained from asthmatic patients stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187, but not those obtained from normal subjects.

Eosinophils isolated with two different methods show different characteristics of activation

Eosinophils can be isolated from a mixed suspension of granulocytes by different procedures. We compared functional responses of human eosinophils purified according to two different principles: (1) an fMLP-induced difference in specific gravity between eosinophils and neutrophils and (2) selective removal of neutrophils by means of immunomagnetic beads coated with CD16 mAb. The results showed that eosinophils isolated with the CD16 beads method have a higher capacity to synthesize platelet activating factor (PAF) after stimulation with serum-treated zymosan (STZ) than eosinophils purified with the fMLP method. Binding of STZ and subsequent activation of the respiratory burst were also increased in CD16-isolated eosinophils. Furthermore, eosinophils isolated with the CD16 beads showed stronger chemotactic responses towards C5a and PAF. The difference in activity of these eosinophil preparations might be explained by a loss of the more active cells during the isolation with the fMLP method: only 30-60% of the eosinophils were recovered with this method, in contrast to a recovery of more than 95% with the CD16 beads method. Indeed, this 'lost' population of eosinophils, subsequently purified with CD16-coated beads, had a higher respiratory burst activity. The alternative explanation, i.e., an enhancement of eosinophil function by the beads method, appeared not to be valid, because repurification of fMLP-isolated eosinophils in the presence of fresh neutrophils and CD16-coated beads did not change the reactivity of the eosinophils. We conclude that the fMLP method leads to selective purification of eosinophils with a resting (or 'unprimed') phenotype.

Expression of CD35 (CR1) and CD11b (CR3) on circulating neutrophils and eosinophils from allergic asthmatic children

Complement receptors on neutrophils and eosinophils play a role in activation and adhesion. During asthmatic reactions these receptors have been found elevated on circulating granulocytes. In the present study we compared the expression of CD35 (complement receptor type 1) and CD11b (complement receptor type 3) on neutrophils and eosinophils from asthmatic and non-asthmatic children. This was done in whole blood samples using depolarized light scattering for the discrimination of neutrophils and eosinophils. The non-stimulated expression as well as the upregulated expression of receptors by the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine (fMLP) were studied. The results showed that without prior stimulation only the expression of CD35 on neutrophils was significantly elevated in children with asthma (P<0.05). After up-regulation with fMLP, the CD11b expression on neutrophils (P<0.005, fMLP: 0.002 microM) and eosinophils (P<0.05, fMLP: 0.02 microM) was significantly higher in asthmatic children than in the controls. These results indicate that the inducible expression of CD11b on neutrophils and eosinophils from allergic asthmatic children is primed in vivo.

Eosinophil migration in atopic dermatitis. I: Increased migratory responses to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, neutrophil-activating factor, platelet-activating factor, and platelet factor 4

Eosinophil granular protein deposits have been demonstrated in lesional atopic dermatitis skin. This suggests active tissue infiltration of eosinophils. To find an explanation for the tissue influx of eosinophils, eosinophil migration was studied in vitro by means of a microchemotaxis assay. Eosinophils from the circulation of patients with atopic dermatitis showed an altered capacity to respond to chemotactic stimuli in vitro compared with eosinophils from healthy donors. Eosinophils from patients with atopic dermatitis had significantly increased migratory responses toward dose ranges of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, neutrophil-activating factor, platelet-activating factor, and platelet factor 4. Eosinophils from normal individuals did not respond to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and neutrophil-activating factor and responded only slightly to platelet factor 4. The migratory responses toward tumor necrosis factor-alpha and complement factor C5a were identical in both groups. Interleukin-5, an eosinophil-selective cytokine, is a strong modulator of the migratory responses to these chemotaxins in eosinophils from normal donors. A migratory response toward N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and neutrophil-activating factor was induced by interleukin-5, whereas the migratory response toward platelet-activating factor and platelet factor 4 was markedly potentiated. In contrast, the response to complement fragment C5a was only slightly influenced. Our findings indicate that the increased migratory responsiveness of eosinophils from patients with atopic dermatitis to various chemotaxins reflects in vivo "priming" of eosinophils, presumably by circulating cytokines such as interleukin-5. This in vivo "priming" is not optimal because it can be further potentiated by renewed contact with interleukin-5.