Molecular Mechanisms of Defective Eosinophil Apoptosis in Diseases Associated with Eosinophilia

摘要

Apoptosis is a necessary process to maintain correct cell numbers in a multicellular organism. Defects in this process may contribute to the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases. We have suggested that inhibition of apoptosis in eosinophils by cytokines such as 1L-5 and GM-CSF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. Here, we review our recent progress in understanding the processes regulating eosinophil apoptosis.