B cells secrete eotaxin-1 in human inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Our previous studies have demonstrated that B cells in human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are highly activated and produce copious amounts of chemokines. Here, we showed that B cells produce eotaxin-1, a selective chemokine for acute eosinophilia. Increased levels of activated eosinophils have been found in the intestinal mucosa in patients with IBD, but their role(s) and the regulation of their migration patterns remain poorly defined.