Simultaneous induction of HSP70 expression, and degranulation, in IgE/Ag-stimulated or extracellular HSP70-stimulated mast cells.

BACKGROUND: In mast cells, induction of HSP70 expression during antigen stimulation has not been reported. METHODS: Mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) were stimulated with IgE/Ag or HSP70. Induction of HSP70 expression and signaling protein phosphorylation were evaluated by immunoblotting. RESULTS: HSP70 expression is induced in BMMC at an early stage of IgE/Ag-dependent stimulation, some of which is released from the cells in a granule-associated form. Induction of HSP70 expression was also observed with an IgE/Ag-stimulated human basophilic cell line, indicating that the phenomenon is not restricted to mouse BMMC. The induction of HSP70 expression, and its release, followed a similar time course to that of degranulation. Released HSP70 seems to be responsible for degranulation and production of eicosanoids, at least in part, because a neutralizing anti-HSP70 antibody mitigated these activities and because exogenous HSP70 not only induced immediate degranulation followed by autocrine HSP70 expression but also enhanced degranulation in IgE/Ag-stimulated BMMC. Extracellular HSP70 was found to induce phosphorylation of linker for activation of T cells (LAT) and a series of downstream signaling molecules in BMMC. We further found that Fyn, Lyn, and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), which are known to concern LAT phosphorylation in IgE/Ag-stimulated BMMC, were not phosphorylated in HSP70-stimulated BMMC, whereas lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck) was phosphorylated. CONCLUSION: FcεRI stimulation in BMMC and basophils induces HSP70 expression and its release. Extracellular HSP70 induces degranulation and mediator release via phosphorylation of LAT.

A haplotype of the human CXCR1 gene protective against rapid disease progression in HIV-1+ patients.

Chemokines and their receptors are key factors in the onset and progression of AIDS. Among them, accumulating evidence strongly indicates the involvement of IL-8 and its receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, in AIDS-related conditions. Through extensive investigation of genetic variations of the human CXCR1-CXCR2 locus, we identified a haplotype of the CXCR1 gene (CXCR1-Ha) carrying two nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms, CXCR1_300 (Met to Arg) in the N terminus extracellular domain and CXCR1_142 (Arg to Cys) in the C terminus intracellular domain. Transfection experiments with CXCR1 cDNAs corresponding to the CXCR1-Ha and the alternative CXCR1-HA haplotype showed reduced expression of CD4 and CXCR4 in CXCR1-Ha cells in human osteosarcoma cells as well as in Jurkat and CEM human T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the efficiency of X4-tropic HIV-1(NL4-3) infection was significantly lower in CXCR1-Ha cells than in CXCR1-HA cells. The results were further confirmed by a series of experiments using six HIV-1 clinical isolates from AIDS patients. A genetic association study was performed by using an HIV-1(+) patient cohort consisting of two subpopulations of AIDS with extreme phenotypes of rapid and slow progression of the disease. The frequency of the CXCR1-Ha allele is markedly less frequent in patients with rapid disease onset than those with slow progression (P = 0.0003). These results provide strong evidence of a protective role of the CXCR1-Ha allele on disease progression in AIDS, probably acting through modulation of CD4 and CXCR4 expression.

Streptozotocin-induced partial beta cell depletion in nude mice without hyperglycaemia induces pancreatic morphogenesis in transplanted embryonic stem cells.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: It appears that the adult pancreas has limited regenerative ability following beta cell destruction by streptozotocin (STZ). However, it is not clear if this limitation is due to an inability to respond to, rather than an absence of, regenerative stimuli. In this study we aimed to uncouple the regenerative signal from the regenerative response by using an exogenous stem cell source to detect regenerative stimuli produced by the STZ-injured pancreas at physiological blood glucose levels. METHOD: Adult nude mice received 150 mg/kg STZ and 1x10(6) J1 mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells by i.p. injection. Permanent beta cell depletion of 50% was estimated from the ratio of beta:alpha cells in pancreata from STZ-treated mice compared with control animals after 24 days. RESULTS: Transplanted ES cells homed to the STZ-injured pancreas and formed tumours. Immunocytochemical analysis of pancreas-associated ES tumours revealed foci containing insulin/PDX-1 double-positive and glucagon-positive/PDX-1-negative cell clusters associated with PDX-1-positive columnar lumenal epithelium and extensive alpha-amylase-positive pancreatic acini comprising approximately 0.1% of ES tumour volume. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These data indicate that (1) the adult pancreas produces a milieu of regenerative stimuli following beta cell destruction, and (2) this is not dependent on hyperglycaemic conditions; (3) these regenerative stimuli appear to recapitulate the signalling pathways of embryonic development, since both exocrine and endocrine lineages are produced from PDX-1-positive precursor epithelium. This model will be useful for characterising the regenerative mechanisms in the adult pancreas.

Expression of ecalectin, a novel eosinophil chemoattractant, in nasal polyps.

CONCLUSION: Ecalectin, which is produced in the mucosa of nasal polyps, seems to play an important role in the accumulation and activation of eosinophils in nasal polyps, regardless of the presence or absence of atopic predisposition. OBJECTIVE: Ecalectin is a recently discovered eosinophil chemoattractant which elongs to the galectin family. We investigated the expression of ecalectin in nasal polyp tissues associated with various nasal and paranasal diseases in order to clarify the pathogenesis of eosinophilia in nasal polyposis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nasal polyps were taken from 56 patients diagnosed as having chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis. The surgically resected polyps and nasal turbinates were immunohistochemically stained using antibodies against EG2, human mast cell tryptase, CD3 and ecalectin. RESULTS: The number of EG2- and ecalectin-positive cells was significantly higher in nasal polyps than control turbinates. Ecalectin-positive cells were observed in the subepithelial layer, where many EG2-positive cells were present. The number of ecalectin-positive cells correlated significantly with the number of EG2-positive cells in nasal polyps. Many ecalectin mRNA-positive cells were also observed in nasal polyps with an accumulation of EG2-positive cells.

Eosinophil chemoattractants in the middle ear of patients with eosinophilic otitis media.

BACKGROUND: Patients with intractable otitis media associated with bronchial asthma have an extensive accumulation of eosinophils in the effusion and mucosa of the middle ear; this condition is called eosinophilic otitis media (EOM). It remained to be determined how eosinophils accumulate in the middle ear. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the pathogenesis of middle ear diseases, we measured the concentration of eosinophil chemoattractants in middle ear effusion (MEE), and carried out immunohistochemical studies of middle ear mucosa specimens to demonstrate the expression of eosinophil chemoattractants. METHODS: Middle ear effusion samples were obtained from 15 EOM patients with bronchial asthma and from six controls for the measurement of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), IL-5, eotaxin and regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted concentrations. Middle ear mucosa samples were also taken from 14 EOM patients and 16 controls for immunohistochemical study. In 10 EOM patients, the numbers of immunoreactive cells as well as apoptotic cells were determined before and after the topical application of triamcinolone acetonide into the middle ear. RESULTS: In EOM, significantly higher ECP and IL-5 concentrations were detected in MEE than in serum, and ECP, IL-5 and eotaxin concentrations in MEE were higher in the EOM patients than in the controls. ECP concentration positively correlated with that of IL-5. Immunohistochemically, the numbers of cells positive for EG2 and ecalectin were significantly higher in the EOM patients than in the controls. After the topical application of triamcinolone acetonide, the numbers of infiltrating cells and immunoreactive cells distinctly decreased, whereas the number of apoptotic cells significantly increased. CONCLUSION: In EOM, locally produced IL-5 may play a crucial role in the accumulation of eosinophils in the middle ear. Chemokines such as ecalectin and eotaxin are also produced in the middle ear, and help activate and enhance the survival of eosinophils to induce the intractable condition in the middle ear. The topical application of triamcinolone acetonide induces the apoptosis of not only eosinophils but also eosinophil chemoattractant-producing cells, thereby improving the middle ear condition.

Neutrophil cytoskeletal disease.

Neutrophils and other phagocytes migrate to the site of infection, ingest pathogens, and destroy them after releasing granule contents and active oxygen. These activities of the cells are closely associated with a rapid reorganization of the cytoskeleton, in which actin polymerizes, cross-links, anchors to the membrane and depolymerizes under the control of various actin-associated proteins. Defect in actin or its associated proteins results in neutrophil cytoskeletal disease where abnormality primarily appears as motility or chemotactic defect of the cells. Although their molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated, neutrophil actin dysfunction and neutrophil actin dysfunction with abnormal 47- and 89-kd proteins have been reported. Recently, abnormal-beta-actin disease and disease with Rac 2 mutation, both of which accompany neutrophil chemotactic dysfunction, were analyzed at the molecular level. These diseases are systemic, but neutrophil dysfunction of the patients is remarkable. Here we review the literature on diseases due to cytoskeletal abnormality. Many other diseases with actin or actin-associated protein dysfunction may be reported in the near future.

Activation of human monocyte cell line U937 via cell surface calreticulin.

U937 cells were found to be activated by an antibacterial peptide, KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 (L5), to generate superoxide anion (O2-)-like peripheral neutrophils. However, the state of cell surface calreticulin, a possible receptor for L5, was suggested to differ between neutrophils and U937 cells. Unlike the former, the latter ones were activated by anti-C-domain peptide antibody of calreticulin even in the absence of L5 and generated O2- in a GTP-binding protein (G-protein)-dependent manner.

Improved superoxide-generating ability by interferon gamma due to splicing pattern change of transcripts in neutrophils from patients with a splice site mutation in CYBB gene.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited disorder of host defense against microbial infections caused by defective activity of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase. Based on an increase of neutrophil superoxide-generating ability in response to interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in a single patient with CGD, multicentered group studies demonstrated a beneficial effect of prophylactic IFN-gamma. However, no apparent increase of the phagocyte superoxide generation was found in patients enrolled in these studies. The present report offers an additional kindred in whom an IFN-gamma-dependent increase in neutrophil superoxide production was observed in 3 affected patients. The defect in the CYBB gene for gp91-phox was identified as an otherwise silent mutation adjacent to the third intron of the CYBB gene that alters messenger RNA splicing. By molecular analysis, significant differences were found in the splicing pattern of CYBB gene transcripts in patient neutrophils between 1 and 25 days after administration of IFN-gamma. Furthermore, a complete transcript containing the missing exons could be detected in all specimens after the treatment. The changes in the splicing pattern of the transcripts and the prolonged effect on superoxide-generating ability of patient neutrophils indicate that IFN-gamma induced a partial correction of the abnormal splicing of CYBB gene transcripts in myeloid progenitor cells.

Comparison of antimycobacterial activity of grepafloxacin against Mycobacterium avium with that of levofloxacin: accumulation of grepafloxacin in human macrophages.

The bactericidal activity of two new quinolones, grepafloxacin and levofloxacin, against five strains of Mycobacterium avium was investigated in vitro. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of these two quinolones, determined by the broth microdilution method, were comparable for all strains tested. In contrast, grepafloxacin suppressed the intracellular growth of all the strains in monocyte-derived macrophages more strongly than levofloxacin, when the cells infected with these strains were incubated for 7 days in the presence of various concentrations of the two new quinolones. To find the reason for the strengthened intracellular killing activity of grepafloxacin, we determined the ratio of the concentration of the new quinolones in the cells to that in the medium (C/M concentration ratio). The C/M concentration ratio of grepafloxacin was increased to 34.7 by 7 days, whereas that of levofloxacin at 7 days was only 12.3. These data suggested that a higher level of intraphagocytic accumulation of grepafloxacin endows it with greater mycobactericidal activity.

Location of the epitope for 7D5, a monoclonal antibody raised against human flavocytochrome b558, to the extracellular peptide portion of primate gp91phox.

Flavocytochrome b558 is the membrane component of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase, and is a heterodimer composed of gp91phox and p22phox subunits. Human flavocytochrome b558 is recognized by monoclonal antibody 7D5 at an unidentified extracellular domain, although our previous study suggested it might recognize p22phox. 7D5 has proven useful in rapid screening of individuals for X-linked chronic granulomatous disease by flow-cytometry. Therefore, we re-evaluated the location of the 7D5 epitope using gene-engineered cell lines expressing hybrid flavocytochromes composed of human and murine subunit homologues. The current study demonstrates that the 7D5 recognizes epitope only of primate gp91phox. Flow-cytometric analyses showed that 7D5 consistently bound to cells expressing human gp91phox. In addition, 7D5 immunoprecipitated the approximately 58 kDa unglycosylated gp91phox protein from solubilized membrane fractions of tunicamycin-treated PLB-985 granulocytes, indicating that glycans were not required for 7D5 binding. Transgenic COS7 cells expressing human gp91phox but not p22phox were recognized by 7D5. These results localized the epitope of 7D5 to an extracellular peptide portion of primate gp91phox and indicate that the antibody will be useful for monitoring the efficiency of gene therapy in patients with flavocytochrome b558-deficient chronic granulomatous disease and for elucidating structural characteristics of flavocytochrome b558.

Induction of phagocyte oxidase components during human myeloid differentiation: independent protein expression and discrepancy with the function.

We investigated the content of four components of the O2(-)-producing enzyme (p47, p67, p22, and gp91) and the O2(-)-producing capacity in human myeloid cell lines. The content of the four components of the phagocyte oxidase was minimal before differentiation induction. During differentiation, expression of p22 and gp91 was at consistently low levels, even when the O2(-)-producing capacity was equivalent to that of normal neutrophils. On the other hand, p47 was consistently and rapidly induced to the level comparable to normal neutrophils. The results indicate that low expression of p22 and gp91 is sufficient to obtain normal O2- production, and that p47 might play an important regulatory role in the functional differentiation.

Serological diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Previously, we reported the specific occurrence of neutralizing autoantibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 11 Japanese patients with idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (I-PAP). The autoantibody was also detected in sera from all 5 I-PAP patients examined. To determine that the existence of the autoantibody is not limited to the Japanese patients, we examined sera from 24 I-PAP patients in five countries and showed that the autoantibody was consistently and specifically present in such patients. Thus, detection of the autoantibody in sera can be used for diagnosis of I-PAP. To establish a simple and convenient method for diagnosis of I-PAP, we developed a novel latex agglutination test using latex beads coupled with recombinant human GM-CSF. GM-CSF binding proteins isolated from the sera using the latex beads were identified as the autoantibodies of IgG(1) and IgG(2). The titer of the autoantibody determined by this test correlated with that determined by ELISA. Agglutination was positive in 300-fold diluted sera from all 24 I-PAP patients, but negative in sera from four secondary PAP patients, two congenital PAP patients, 40 patients with other lung diseases, and 38 of 40 normal subjects. These results establish that the latex agglutination test is a reliable method for serological diagnosis of I-PAP with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98%).

Statistical and mutational analysis of chronic granulomatous disease in Japan with special reference to gp91-phox and p22-phox deficiency.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a group of inherited disorders of host defense caused by a mutation in any of the four components of phagocyte NADPH oxidase, namely gp91-, p22-, p47-, and p67-phox. We have made a precise statistical analysis of 229 registered patients from 195 families in Japan and mutation analysis of 28 and 5 independent patients, respectively, with gp91- and p22-phox deficiency. The gp91- and p22-phox proteins form the membrane cytochrome b558, which plays important roles in the assembly of the active oxidase and electron-transfer reaction, and the lesions in either subunit account for more than 80% of cases. The ratio of male to female patients was 6.6/1, the incidence was calculated to be about 1 out of 220,000 birth, and the life expectancy of the patients born in the 1970s was estimated to be 25-30 years old. For the X-linked gp91-phox deficiency, we found five missense and nine nonsense mutations, seven deletions, three insertions, and four splice site mutations, which included the following novel mutations: four missense, five nonsense, six deletions, one insertion, and two splice site abnormalities. With regard to p22-phox deficiency, two homozygous nonsense mutations and one homozygous deletion, a missense mutation together with a splice site mutation, and two different missense mutations were found. These mutations have not been reported before. Based on the present and reported data from Japan, we discuss the molecular defects of the disease and the difference in statistics between western countries and Japan.

Activation of human neutrophils by a synthetic anti-microbial peptide, KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2, via cell surface calreticulin.

We previously reported that a synthetic anti-bacterial peptide, KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 (L5), showed significant chemotherapeutic activity in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-infected mice, and its ability to activate human neutrophils was related to its chemotherapeutic activity. In this study, we found that activation of neutrophils by L5 was inhibited by pertussis toxin, suggesting that GTP-binding protein (G-protein) participates in this process. We isolated an L5-binding protein, which turned out to be human calreticulin, with a molecular mass of 60 kDa from neutrophil membranes. From experiments using an anti-calreticulin antibody, we proposed that calreticulin is partly localized on the surface of neutrophils, and L5-bound calreticulin transmits a signal into cells via G-protein to activate neutrophils to generate superoxide anion.

Idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis as an autoimmune disease with neutralizing antibody against granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (I-PAP) is a rare disease of unknown etiology in which the alveoli fill with lipoproteinaceous material. We report here that I-PAP is an autoimmune disease with neutralizing antibody of immunoglobulin G isotype against granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The antibody was found to be present in all specimens of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from 11 I-PAP patients but not in samples from 2 secondary PAP patients, 53 normal subjects, and 14 patients with other lung diseases. It specifically bound GM-CSF and neutralized bioactivity of the cytokine in vitro. The antibody was also found in sera from all I-PAP patients examined but not in sera from a secondary PAP patient or normal subjects, indicating that it exists systemically in I-PAP patients. As lack of GM-CSF signaling causes PAP in congenital cases and PAP-like disease in murine models, our findings strongly suggest that neutralization of GM-CSF bioactivity by the antibody causes dysfunction of alveolar macrophages, which results in reduced surfactant clearance.

A heterozygous mutation of beta-actin associated with neutrophil dysfunction and recurrent infection.

A human disorder caused by mutation in nonmuscle actin has not been reported. We report here a variant of nonmuscle actin in a female patient with recurrent infections, photosensitivity, and mental retardation. She also had abnormalities in neutrophil chemotaxis, superoxide production, and membrane potential response. Two-dimensional PAGE analysis of proteins from neutrophils and other cell types from this patient demonstrated a unique protein spot migrating at 42 kDa with pI shifted slightly to neutral relative to normal beta- and gamma-actin. Digestion peptide mapping and Western blotting showed this spot to be an abnormal actin. A full-length cDNA library was constructed by using mRNA from patient's cells and cDNA encoding the mutant beta-actin molecule was identified by an in vitro translation method. Sequencing of the clones demonstrated a G-1174 to A substitution, predicting a glutamic acid-364 to lysine substitution in beta-actin and eliminating a HinfI DNase restriction site found in normal beta-actin sequence. By HinfI digestion and by sequencing, the mutation in one allele of patient's genomic DNA was confirmed. Though no defect in cell-free polymerization of actin was detected, this defect lies in a domain important for binding to profilin and other actin-regulatory molecules. In fact, the mutant actin bound to profilin less efficiently than normal actin did. Heterozygous expression of mutant beta-actin in neutrophils and other cells of this patient may act in a dominant-negative fashion to adversely affect cellular activities dependent on the function of nonmuscle actin.

Uncompetitive inhibition of superoxide generation by a synthetic peptide corresponding to a predicted NADPH binding site in gp91-phox, a component of the phagocyte respiratory oxidase.

The large subunit of cytochrome b558, gp91-phox, is believed to play a key role in superoxide generation in neutrophils by accepting electrons from NADPH and donating them to molecular oxygen. We found that a peptide corresponding to a predicted NADPH binding site in gp91-phox inhibited superoxide generation in a cell-free system consisting of neutrophil membrane and cytosol. Minimum essential sequence for the inhibition was KSVWYK, which corresponded to residues 420-425 (IC50 = 30 microM). Unlike other peptides known to inhibit the reaction, this peptide was effective even when added to the system after activation or to activated membrane from stimulated neutrophils. Furthermore, the peptide inhibited superoxide generation in a membrane system activated without cytosol. Kinetic analysis revealed that the peptide inhibited the reaction uncompetitively. These results suggest that the peptide combines with the activated cytochrome b558-NADPH complex and thereby inhibits electron transfer from NADPH to molecular oxygen.

Lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis express a factor which neutralizes granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor.

Mice deficient in granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) develop pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). We found that bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 11 patients with idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (IPAP) suppressed the growth of peripheral blood monocytes and TF-1 cells, a cell line dependent on either GM-CSF or interleukin-3 (IL-3). The inhibitory effect of PAP-BALF occurred only when TF-1 cells were cultured with GM-CSF but not when cultured with IL-3, suggesting that PAP-BALF contains a factor that specifically interferes with GM-CSF function. 125I-GM-CSF binding to TF-1 cells was prevented in the presence of BALF from IPAP patients. Furthermore, cross-linking of 125I-GM-CSF to IPAP-BALF produced two major bands on SDS-PAGE; these bands were not observed in normal BALF. These data suggest that IPAP is caused by expression of binding factor(s) which inhibit GM-CSF function in the lung.

Drug-selected complete restoration of superoxide generation in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells from p47phox-deficient chronic granulomatous disease patients by using a bicistronic retrovirus vector encoding a human multi-drug resistance gene (MDR1) and the p47phox gene.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a group of disorders characterized by the failure of phagocytes to produce superoxide. One-third of the cases of CGD in the USA and Europe results from defects in the gene encoding p47phox, a cytoplasmic component of NADPH oxidase for superoxide generation. In this study, we constructed the bicistronic retrovirus vector Ha-MDR-IRES-p47, which carries cDNAs for a human multi-drug-resistance gene (MDR1) and p47phox. The amphotropic retroviral producer cells were generated, and the supernatant of the producer cells was used to transduce Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B (EBV-B) cells, established from B cells of p47phox-deficient CGD patients, as an in vitro model of gene therapy for p47phox-deficient CGD. The transduced cells expressed both P-glycoprotein and p47phox protein, and the expression levels were increased after appropriate vincristine selection. The levels of superoxide production in the vincristine-selected cells were increased to a level similar to normal EBV-B cells. This result suggests that it is possible to achieve 100% correction of the CGD defect in p47phox-deficient EBV-B cells by using the bicistronic vector. This strategy could be employed not only in vitro, but also in vivo, in the gene therapy of a number of inherited diseases.

Human ecalectin, a variant of human galectin-9, is a novel eosinophil chemoattractant produced by T lymphocytes.

A 1.6-kilobase pair cDNA was isolated from a human T-cell-derived expression library that encodes a novel eosinophil chemoattractant (designated ecalectin) expressed during allergic and parasitic responses. Based on its deduced amino acid sequence, ecalectin is a 36-kDa protein consisting of 323 amino acids. Although ecalectin lacks a hydrophobic signal peptide, it is secreted from mammalian cells. Ecalectin is not related to any known cytokine or chemokine but rather is a variant of human galectin-9, a member of the large family of animal lectins that have affinity for beta-galactosides. Recombinant ecalectin, expressed in COS cells and insect cells, exhibited potent eosinophil chemoattractant activity and attracted eosinophils in vitro and in vivo in a dose-dependent manner but not neutrophils, lymphocytes, or monocytes. The finding that the ecalectin transcript is present in abundance in various lymphatic tissues and that its expression increases substantially in antigen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells suggests that ecalectin is an important T-cell-derived regulator of eosinophil recruitment in tissues during inflammatory reactions. We believe that this is the first report of the expression of an immunoregulatory galectin expressed by a T-cell line that is selective for eosinophils.