Background: L-selectin (CD62L) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) play a crucial role i
n the infiltration of eosinophils. However, changes in CD62L and CD11b expr
ession on eosinophils after stimulation with cytokines were little studied.
Methods: Eosinophils in peripheral blood of healthy volunteers were purifi
ed and cultured with interleukin-5 (IL-5), granulocyte/macrophage colony-st
imulating factor (GM-CSF) or interferon-gamma (lFN-gamma). After up to 24 h
incubation, CD62L and CD11b expression were examined using flow cytometry.
The effects of dexamethasone (Dex), cycloheximide (CHX) or theophylline on
CD62L expression on IFN-gamma-stimulated eosinophils were also studied. Re
sults: IL-5 or GM-CSF downregulated CD62L and upregulated CD11b expression
on eosinophils after 30 min stimulation, Conversely, IFN-gamma upregulated
CD62L after 12 h stimulation in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and had
no effect on CD11b expression. Dex, CHX or theophylline dose-dependently de
creased CD62L expression on IFN-gamma-stimulated eosinophils. Conclusions:
IFN-gamma is a particular cytokine which can increase CD62L expression on c
irculating or infiltrated human eosinophils. It is suggested that protein s
ynthesis and intracellular cAMP participate in the increase in L-selectin e
xpression on IFN-gamma-stimulated eosinophils.