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IMMUNOLOGY

Eosinophils set DNA traps in allergic asthma

Nature Cell Biology volume 23, pages 1057–1059 (2021)Cite this article

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The underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms for asthma remain incompletely understood. A new study now shows that eosinophils release DNA traps that stimulate pulmonary neuroendocrine cell-mediated amplification of the allergic asthma response.

As an organ that interfaces the environment, the lung is constantly exposed to pathogens, allergens and toxins. These environmental insults trigger inflammatory immune responses to eliminate offenders and restore homeostasis. However, the inability to resolve inflammation in a timely manner can result in diseases such as asthma. In asthma, there is increased influx and activity of type 2 immune cells such as mast cells, eosinophils, basophils and type 2 T cells. These inflammatory cells mediate tissue remodelling, constriction of small airways and increased production of mucus, causing the obstruction of the passage of air, and classic symptoms such as wheezing1. It is increasingly appreciated that asthma is a complex disease. Patients with asthma present with a diversity of clinical features broadly classified as eosinophil-high (type 2 allergic asthma) and eosinophil-low (non-allergic asthma) endotypes. Although current treatments for asthma focus on corticosteroids to control inflammation, biological agents to neutralize type 2 cytokines and bronchodilators to relax airways, a finer understanding of the molecules of inflammation and the effector cell types that instigate asthma can facilitate individualized therapy for patients, especially those that are non-responsive to current treatments1. In this issue of Nature Cell Biology, Lu et al.2 provide evidence that eosinophil-derived extracellular DNA traps worsen allergic asthma, presenting a new target for treatment.

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Fig. 1: Allergen EET release by eosinophils reinforces PNEC-mediated type 2 immunity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Barsha Dash & Xin Sun

  2. Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Xin Sun

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  1. Barsha Dash
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  2. Xin Sun
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Correspondence to Xin Sun.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Dash, B., Sun, X. Eosinophils set DNA traps in allergic asthma. Nat Cell Biol 23, 1057–1059 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-021-00765-z

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