Role of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune subepidermal blistering skin disease, and a large number of eosinophils (EOS) obviously infiltrate the dermis of BP lesions. Additionally, EOS and their activated cytokines and chemokines are abundantly present in blisters and peripheral blood of BP patients. It is also proved that EOS can induce the dermal-epidermal separation. The level of interleukin (IL) -5 is markedly increased in the sera and blister fluids of BP patients, and IL-5 secreted by Th2 cells and EOS can regulate the differentiation, activation and survival of EOS. All the above evidence indicates that EOS are associated with the occurrence of BP. Researches on EOS and their cytokines will develop a new field of targeted therapy for BP. Key words: Pemphigoid, bullous; Eosinophil; Pathogenesis; Dermal-epidermal separation