Eosinophils and itch: Partners in crime or strange bedfellows?

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1 Eosinophils and itch: Partners in crime or strange bedfellows?
Kristin M. Leiferman, MD  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  Volume 135, Issue 2, Pages (February 2015) DOI: /j.jaci Copyright © Terms and Conditions

2 Fig 1 Eosinophils, mast cells and itch. Eosinophils (Eos) and mast cells (MC) both have described associations with C-type nerve fibers implicated with itch. C-polymodel (CPm) fibers are activated in the epidermis through protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2), of which mast cell tryptase is an agonist; PAR-2 appears to mediate cutaneous itch directly through a histamine-independent mechanism. Furthermore, histamine released by mast cells activates C-mechanically insensitive (CMi) fibers that innervate widespread areas of the skin and, on activation, release proinflammatory mediators that lead to vasodilatation. Therefore activated mast cells exhibit effects on both types of C-fibers that contribute to itch and inflammation.11 Relationships between eosinophils and nerves are broadly known, but the effects of eosinophils on nerve activation related to itch are not as directly understood as are the effects of mast cells. Eosinophils synthesize neurotrophins, including nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3. Eosinophils localize to the skin in mouse models near increased nerves, and eosinophils in culture with nerves cause branching of sensory neurons. Eosinophil granule proteins block neuronal M2 muscarinic receptors, possibly contributing to airways hypersensitivity in asthmatic patients. Eosinophils and mast cells interact to enhance nerve activation, perhaps synergistically both through effects on nerves and effects on each other. If mast cell numbers, activation state, or both are decreased in the absence of eosinophils, then the mast cell contribution to itch and inflammation (and edema and tissue remodeling) will be decreased. The relative contributions of eosinophils and mast cells in this situation cannot be assessed specifically unless mast cells are taken out of the picture. Indirectly, they could be assessed if mast cell numbers and activation products were compared with the reaction parameters both in the presence and absence of eosinophils. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  , DOI: ( /j.jaci ) Copyright © Terms and Conditions