INTRACELLULAR-LOCALIZATION AND RELEASE OF EOTAXIN FROM NORMAL EOSINOPHILS

Eotaxin is a potent and selective CC chemokine for eosinophils and bas ophils. We established several monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) allowing t he neutralization and measurement of human eotaxin. Using the Mabs as probes, we demonstrated that normal eosinophils contained intracellula r granule-associated eotaxin, Quantification of cell-associated eotaxi n in different leukocyte subsets revealed that it was principally expr essed in eosinophils, Finally, me showed that normal eosinophils relea sed eotaxin upon stimulation with either of two secretagogues, C5a or ionomycin. These findings raise the possibility that eosinophil-derive d eotaxin contributes to the local accumulation of eosinophils at the site of inflammation. (C) 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Soci eties.