Our studies indicate that human eosinophils can be activated in terms of up-regulation of surface receptors, increased membrane lipid generation, and enhanced cytotoxicity by a variety of pharmacological mediators, through IgE-, IgG-, and complement-dependent pathways. PAF is an impressive activator of eosinophil function and is the most potent chemotactic mediator for eosinophils so far described. It is not selective in that neutrophils are also attracted by PAF. In our hands, IL-1, IL-2, granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor, interferon-gamma, and IL-5 tested over a wide concentration range gave very weak chemotaxis for eosinophils in vitro. Nevertheless, in vivo infiltration of eosinophils into the site of allergic tissue reactions is closely associated with the local accumulation of activated (CD4+, IL-2 rec+) T cells. We suggest, therefore, that the selective eosinophil infiltration seen in allergic inflammation may result from the initial recruitment and activation of granulocytes by lipid mediators and the subsequent selective activation of eosinophils by cytokines.