Objectives: Eosinophils are common findings cells in allergic asthma as is sub-base membrane thickening of the airways. The objective of this review was to summarise some recent findings linking the activities of eosinophils to airways remodelling.
Data source and study selection: The study used a review of current literature with emphasis on our own recent findings.
Results: Eosinophils are found at increased numbers in asthma and more so in allergic as compared with non-allergic asthma. A link has been found in several clinical studies on allergic asthmatics, but not in studies on non-allergic asthma, between the presence of eosinophils and signs of airways remodelling. The eosinophil contains and secretes several pro-fibrogenic molecules such as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Genetic studies on subjects developing liver fibrosis as a consequence of Schistosoma mansoni infection show close relationships to ECP genotypes.
Conclusion: Several clinical and experimental studies indicate that eosinophils contribute to airways remodelling not only through their secretion of cationic proteins such as ECP and cytokines such as TGF-beta1, but also through interactions with mast cells and epithelial cells.