De eosinofiele granulocyt: Structuur en functie

Eosinophilic granulocytes are involved in the host defense against invading parasites. These cells can kill these microorganisms via different cytotoxic mechanisms. Eosinophils can extravasate and migrate to an inflammatory locus in response to chemotaxins. Subsequently, the cells can bind and can kill its targets by the release of cytotoxic proteins and the production of toxic oxygen metabolites. Next to the host defense against parasites, the eosinophil is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases such as allergic asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis. In these diseases the cell extravasates and becomes activated in response to allergens instead of parasites. The processes involved in extravasation and activation are discussed.