From Eosinophil Chemotactic Factor of Anaphylaxis to Leukotriene B₄ – Chemistry, Biology and Functional Significance of Eosinophil Chemotactic Leukotrienes in Dermatology

Abstract

The present paper examines evidence for the identity of low molecular weight eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) and of leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and its metabolites. Total congruity between the two entities is found regarding (1) cells of origin; (2) conditions for in vitro generation and pharmacological modulation; (3) physicochemical properties; (4) in vitro chemotaxis towards human monocytes, fibroblasts and guinea pig eosinophils; (5) in vivo activities in humans, and (6) occurrence of the factors in various dermatological diseases. Quantitative differences were observed only for in vitro neutrophil migration which may be due to neutrophil chemotactic mono-HETEs and possibly platelet activating factor in the ECF preparations. The name ECF should therefore be replaced by LTB₄ and its metabolites, as has happened for SRS which is now called LTC₄/D4.

Comparative immunoreactivity of the eosinophil constituents MBP and ECP in different types of urticaria

“…Eosinophils are known to adhere to endothelial cells and to migrate into tissues in response to chemotactic agents [3,4,6]. This explains their localization at sites of specific reactions including urticarial lesions [12,17].…”