Eosinophil crystalloid granules: structure, function, and beyond

Journal of Leukocyte Biology

Valdirene S. Muniz²  Peter F. Weller  and¹  Josiane S. Neves² 

[1]  Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;

关键词: allergy;    inflammation;    cytokine;    chemokine;   

DOI  :  10.1189/jlb.0212067

学科分类：生理学

来源: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

【 摘 要 】

Eosinophils are granulocytes associated with host defense against parasitic helminths with allergic conditions and more recently, with immunoregulatory responses. Eosinophils are distinguished from leukocytes by their dominant population of cytoplasmic crystalloid (also termed secretory, specific, or secondary) granules that contain robust stores of diverse, preformed cationic proteins. Here, we provide an update on our knowledge about the unique and complex structure of human eosinophil crystalloid granules. We discuss their significance as rich sites of a variety of receptors and review our own recent research findings and those of others that highlight discoveries concerning the function of intracellular receptors and their potential implications in cell signaling. Special focus is provided on how eosinophils might use these intracellular receptors as mechanisms to secrete, selectively and rapidly, cytokines or chemokines and enable cell-free extracellular eosinophil granules to function as independent secretory structures. Potential roles of cell-free eosinophil granules as immune players in the absence of intact eosinophils will also be discussed.

【 授权许可】

Unknown