Dysregulation of interleukin 5 expression in familial eosinophilia

Abstract

Background

Familial eosinophilia (FE) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by the presence of lifelong peripheral eosinophilia (>1500/μL). Mapped to chromosome 5q31-q33, the genetic cause of FE is unknown, and prior studies have failed to demonstrate a primary abnormality in the eosinophil lineage.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to identify the cells driving the eosinophilia in FE.

Methods

Microarray analysis and real-time PCR were used to examine transcriptional differences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and in purified cell subsets from affected and unaffected family members belonging to a single large kindred. Cytokine levels in serum and PBMC culture supernatants were assessed by suspension array multiplexed immunoassays.

Results

Whereas IL5 mRNA expression was significantly increased in freshly isolated PBMC from affected family members, this was not accompanied by increased mRNA expression of other Th2 cytokines (IL4 or IL13). Serum levels of IL-5 and IL-5 receptor α, but not IgE, were similarly increased in affected family members. Of note, IL5 mRNA expression was significantly increased in purified CD3+ CD4+, CD14+, CD19+ and ILC2 cells from affected family members, as were IL-5 protein levels in supernatants from both stimulated PBMC and ILC2 cultures.

Conclusions

These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the eosinophilia in FE is secondary to dysregulation of IL-5 production in PBMC (and their component subsets).

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