Eosinophil-derived cationic granule proteins (EDGPs)

Eosinophil-derived cationic granule proteins (EDGPs) are a group of highly basic, cytotoxic mediators stored within the secondary granules of eosinophils. The four primary proteins in this group are Major Basic Protein (MBP), Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP), Eosinophil-derived Neurotoxin (EDN), and Eosinophil Peroxidase (EPO) [9, 17, 20]. Biologically, these proteins serve as effector molecules in the innate immune system, providing defense against helminthic parasites and exhibiting antiviral and antibacterial properties [10, 15, 27]. However, their dysregulated release is a hallmark of eosinophilic inflammatory diseases, where they cause extensive tissue damage, epithelial desquamation, and airway hyperresponsiveness in conditions such as asthma and eosinophilic esophagitis [1, 3, 29]. In clinical practice, these proteins are frequently used as biomarkers to monitor disease activity and the efficacy of anti-eosinophil therapies [7, 12, 22, 30]. Therapeutic strategies include the use of monoclonal antibodies that deplete eosinophils or block their activation, as well as the development of small-molecule inhibitors specifically targeting the enzymatic activity of eosinophil peroxidase [4, 5, 6, 21].

Other names

Eosinophil granule proteinsEosinophil secondary granule proteinsEosinophil-derived cytotoxic proteinsEosinophil-derived cationic proteins

Inhibition of eosinophil maturation, recruitment, and activation; antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) leading to eosinophil depletion; direct inhibition of peroxidase enzymatic activity.