The Role of Eosinophil Granular Proteins

The effector role of the eosinophil in the pathogenesis of asthma is mediated in part by the release of eosinophil-specific granular proteins. The four principal basic proteins in the secondary granules of the eosinophil are MBP, EPO, ECP and EDN. 

EPO can cause a dose-dependent lysis of epithelial cells (Ayars etal., 1989) and endothelial cells (Slungaard and Mahoney, 1991 Yoshikawa etal., 1993). Paradoxically, EPO can oxidize LTC4 and LTD4 to neutralize their smooth muscle contractile effect (Henderson et al., 1982 Weller etal., 1991). 

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