Does Eosinophil Heterogeneity Translate into Functional Diversity? A Review of the Evolving Paradigm of Eosinophil Heterogeneity in Asthma

Abstract

This review provides an overview of evidence supporting the existence of distinct homeostatic and inflammatory eosinophil subpopulations in health and disease. Particular emphasis is placed on describing the phenotypic and functional roles of these eosinophil subtypes in asthma, as well as the phenotypic changes induced by clinical therapy with the anti-IL-5 biologic agent, mepolizumab. Improved understanding of distinct eosinophil phenotypes may enable targeting of select subpopulations in the treatment of patients with type 2 inflammatory diseases such as asthma.

Keywords

• eosinophils
• asthma
• interleukin-5
• inflammatory eosinophils