Objectives: To assess the biological effects of purified recombinant equine CCL11 on equine eosinophil function.
Methods: Following stimulation of eosinophils from normal horses, the polymerised form of actin was measured by flow cytometry using fluorescently labelled phalloidin. Migration was determined in a 96 well plate chemotaxis assay using 8 μm pore membranes, and adherence of eosinophils to serum-coated plastic was assessed using a colorimetric assay for eosinophil peroxidase. Superoxide generation was measured by the reduction of cytochrome C in a colorimetric assay.
Results: Equine CCL11 induced significant (p < 0.001), concentration-dependent actin polymerisation and migration of equine eosinophils. Stimulation with CCL11 did not induce significant adherence to serum coated plastic, or superoxide production.
Conclusions: Equine CCL11 stimulates cytoskeletal reorganization and migration of equine eosinophils, suggesting that it may be involved in the regulation of eosinophil trafficking in horses.