Eosinophil function related to cutaneous disorders.

A concise review of the ultrastructural features and physiological properties of eosinophils is presented with the aim of delineating those properties of eosinophils that set them apart from other granulocytes. It has become clear that eosinophols are subject to chemotaxis by attractants that do not affect other cells (e.g., histamine, ECF-A, ESP) and that they contain antiflogistic agents (arylsulfatase IIB, peroxidase) that neutralize specific substances known to elicit the inflammatory response. The mechanisms underlying eosinophilia in a variety of cutaneous disorders are analyzed in the light of this information.