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. 2017 Apr 27;8:484. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00484

Table 1.

Autoimmune diseases with potential eosinophil involvement.

Disease Level of evidence Potential mechanism Eosinophil recruitment Tissue infiltration Blood eosinophilia
Bullous pemphigoid Strong Eosinophil-derived proteases degrade extracellular matrix resulting in dermal–epidermal separation Eotaxin-1, expressed by keratinocytes Yes Yes, likely associated with disease severity
Inflammatory bowel diseases Strong Release of eosinophil peroxidase (EPX), major basic protein, IL-22-binding protein; increase in mucosal barrier permeability; potential effects on enteric nerves Eotaxin-1 (eotaxin-2 and -3), expressed by multiple cell types Yes, positively correlated with disease severity
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis Moderate Possible direct cytotoxic effects on endothelial cells, nerves, and other organs involved; prothrombotic effects Eotaxin-3, expressed by various cell types Yes (diagnostic criterion) Yes (diagnostic criterion), increased Th2 cytokines
Eosinophilic myocarditis Moderate Possible direct cytotoxic effects on myocytes, endocardium; prothrombotic effects; mast cell activation; release of IL-4 promotes chronic disease Eotaxin-1, -3 Yes (diagnostic criterion) Not always present
Neuromyelitis optica Strong Release of EPX killing astrocytes through antibody-dependent and complement-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity Eotaxin-2, -3 Yes, particularly in early lesions
Primary biliary cirrhosis Weak Unknown, potential cytotoxic effects Yes, particularly in early stages Yes