The Role of Eosinophils in Allergic Airway Inflammation

Eosinophils have long been observed in the airways of patients with allergic asthma, and in animal models of allergic airway inflammation. Traditionally thought to be an end stage cell that is controlled by the T cell response, more recent findings suggest a more complicated role for these cells. Here we discuss the role of eosinophils in allergic inflammation, and recent findings that suggest an important role in the initiation of allergic airway inflammation. Finally, we discuss some ways in which these cells are being targeted in patients, and promising preclinical findings on novel targets for decreasing the number of these cells in patients with allergic asthma. [Discovery Medicine 9(47):357-362, April 2010]