Eosinophil-active chemokines: assessment of in vivo activity.

The selective recruitment of eosinophils in tissue is a striking feature of allergic diseases. Recently, a family of chemoattractant molecules, namely chemokines, has been described which potently activates eosinophil function in vitro. We have developed a murine model of eosinophil recruitment to compare the relative potency and efficacy of chemokines in vivo. Of the chemokines tested, only eotaxin and MIP-1 alpha induced significant accumulation of eosinophils in vivo, but eotaxin was more effective than MIP-1 alpha. Chemokines, especially eotaxin acting via the CCR-3 receptor, may have a fundamental role in determining selective eosinophil recruitment in vivo.