The eosinophil and airway remodelling in asthma

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-beta 1, but also through interactions with mast cells and epithelial cells. Please cite this paper as: Venge P. The eosinophil and airway remodelling in asthma. Clin Respir J 2010; 4 (Suppl. 1): 15-19.