ABSTRACT
The cytolytic potential of eosinophils has been extensively studied in cytotoxicity assays against parasite larvae. These mechanisms are strictly dependent on antibodies and/or complement, which interact with specific receptors on eosinophil membrane. This chapter highlights the structure and the functions of immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin A binding molecules expressed on human eosinophil membrane with particular emphasis on lectins. Effector functions of eosinophils against parasites, as well as against host cells, appear to be mainly mediated by the release of cationic proteins, such as major basic protein, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and eosinophil peroxidase. Eosinophil activation is probably a complex phenomenon depending not only on the stimulus used, but also on the state of activation or differentiation of cells. Human eosinophils exhibit various membrane receptors belonging to different gene super-families, including members of the immunoglobulin, integrin, complement receptor and cytokine receptor family.
