Potential Problems, and Future Directions

The controversies concerning eosinophil IgE receptors have taught us several important lessons. Eirst, transcription of mRNA or even the presence of synthesized receptor protein within the cells does not necessarily indicate the expression of the receptor on cell surfaces. Potential discrepancies between receptor expression and actual receptor function need to be resolved. 

In summary, as shown in Table 1, human eosinophils from patients with allergy and asthma transcribe mRNA and contain considerable amounts of intracellular but no or negligible surface EceRIa. Eosinophils do not seem to express FceRII (CD23) surface protein either. Unlike mast cells and basophils, investiga- 

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Terada (51) 1995 Human Blood, tissue Allergic rhinitis 

Portions of this chapter were adapted and used, with permission, from Kita H, Gleich GJ. Eosinophils and IgE receptors a continuing controversy. Blood 1997 89 3497-3501. This work was supported in part by NIH grants AI34486 and AI34577 and by the Mayo Foundation. 

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