Targeting Eosinophils in Mouse Models of Asthma.

Eosinophils are bone marrow-derived hematopoietic cells that accumulate significantly in the lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with asthma and models of allergic airway inflammation. Their role in the pathophysiology of asthma and other diseases can be studied using mouse models in which eosinophils are depleted. This review article focuses on two main approaches for depleting eosinophils in vivo, antibody-mediated and genetic models. Specific antibodies and genetic models are reviewed, along with their strengths and weaknesses.