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Abstract
This review summarizes our current understanding of lymphocytic esophagitis (LE), a novel form of chronic esophagitis that incorporates distinctive histologic, clinical, and endoscopic features. First described as a histologic entity, a diagnosis of LE requires intraepithelial lymphocytosis without significant granulocytic inflammation and some evidence of epithelial damage; the rationale for and studies supportive of these histologic criteria are discussed within. Clinically, the majority of patients who present with histologically confirmed LE are older women or patients with underlying immunologic abnormalities, such as Crohn disease, rheumatologic disorders, or common variable immunodeficiency. The most common presenting symptom of LE is dysphagia, and the endoscopic findings can vary from normal mucosa to mucosal changes that resemble eosinophilic esophagitis: edema, rings, furrows, and plaques. The incidence of luminal strictures and the persistent dysphagia and/or lymphocytosis present in some patients provide evidence that LE is a chronic inflammatory disorder, at least within a subset of individuals. Several histologic mimics of LE are examined, as are disagreements surrounding the LE diagnosis.
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Wiles KN, Alioto CM, Hodge NB, Clevenger MH, Tsikretsis LE, Lin FT, Tétreault MP. IκB Kinase-β Regulates Neutrophil Recruitment Through Activation of STAT3 Signaling in the Esophagus. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 12:1743-1759. [PMID: 34311141 PMCID: PMC8551782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The epithelial barrier is the host's first line of defense against damage to the underlying tissue. Upon injury, the epithelium plays a critical role in inflammation. The IκB kinase β (IKKβ)/nuclear factor-κB pathway was shown to be active in the esophageal epithelium of patients with esophageal disease. However, the complex mechanisms by which IKKβ signaling regulates esophageal disease pathogenesis remain unknown. Our prior work has shown that expression of a constitutively active form of IKKβ specifically in esophageal epithelia of mice (IkkβcaEsophageal Epithelial Cell-Knockin (EEC-KI)) is sufficient to cause esophagitis. METHODS We generated ED-L2/Cre;Rosa26-Ikkβca+/L;Stat3L/L (IkkβcaEEC-KI;Stat3Esophageal Epithelial Cell Knockout (EEC-KO)) mice, in which the ED-L2 promoter activates Cre recombinase in the esophageal epithelium, leading to constitutive activation of IKKβ and loss of Stat3. Esophageal epithelial tissues were collected and analyzed by immunostaining, RNA sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays, flow cytometry, and Western blot. IkkβcaEEC-KI mice were treated with neutralizing antibodies against interleukin (IL)23p19 and IL12p40. RESULTS Here, we report that IkkβcaEEC-KI mice have increased activation of epithelial Janus kinase 2/STAT3 signaling. Stat3 deletion in IkkβcaEEC-KI mice attenuated the neutrophil infiltration observed in IkkβcaEEC-KI mice and resulted in decreased expression of genes related to immune cell recruitment and activity. Blocking experiments in IkkβcaEEC-KI mice showed that STAT3 activation and subsequent neutrophil recruitment are dependent on IL23 secretion. CONCLUSIONS Our study establishes a novel interplay between IKKβ and STAT3 signaling in epithelial cells of the esophagus, where IKKβ/IL23/STAT3 signaling controls neutrophil recruitment during the onset of inflammation. GEO accession number: GSE154129.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Nicole Wiles
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Cara Maria Alioto
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Correspondence Address correspondence to: Marie-Pier Tétreault, PhD, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 15-753 Tarry Building, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3010. fax: (312) 908-9032.
| | - Nathan Bruce Hodge
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Margarette Helen Clevenger
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lia Elyse Tsikretsis
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Frederick T.J. Lin
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Marie-Pier Tétreault
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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Muller K, Xiao J, Putra J, Rothstein R, McCourt C, Konnikova L, Lisovsky M. Lymphocytic Esophagitis With Predominance of CD4 T Cells and Expansion of Th1 Cells Is Associated With Achalasia. Am J Clin Pathol 2021; 156:278-287. [PMID: 33609026 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqaa239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although histologic features in biopsies suggesting a possibility of achalasia would be helpful diagnostically, such features remain unknown. The goal of this study was to explore the prevalence, histologic features, and immunophenotype of lymphocytic esophagitis (LyE) in achalasia biopsies. METHODS The study group consisted of 57 patients with achalasia. Controls comprised 52 patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and normal esophageal motility. CD4/CD8 immunophenotype of lymphocytes was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS LyE was identified in 30% (17/57) of patients with achalasia and 6% (3/52) of patients with GERD, indicating a strong association with achalasia (odds ratio, 6.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.90-25.38). LyE was focal in 59% (10/17) of the cases and diffuse in 41% (7/17). CD4 T-cell predominance over CD8 T cells was observed in 88% of patients with achalasia and LyE. T helper 1 (Th1) cells, but not T helper 2 cells, were expanded in CD4 T cells; in the absence of evident infection, this was compatible with the role of Th1 cells in organ-specific autoimmunity. CONCLUSIONS Achalasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of clinical entities associated with CD4-predominant LyE. Additional studies to explore the significance of Th1 cells in achalasia-associated LyE are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Muller
- Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Jenny Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Juan Putra
- Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Richard Rothstein
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Collin McCourt
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Liza Konnikova
- Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mikhail Lisovsky
- Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Hissong E, Schechter S, Mowers J, Yantiss RK, Slavik T, Cheng J, Lamps LW. The diagnosis of clinically significant oesophageal Candida infections: a reappraisal of clinicopathological findings. Histopathology 2021; 76:748-754. [PMID: 31944368 DOI: 10.1111/his.14063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Distinguishing true oesophageal Candida infections from oral contaminants is a common diagnostic issue. Historically, histological features believed to indicate true infection included epithelial invasion by pseudohyphae and intraepithelial neutrophils. Whether or not these features correlate with endoscopic lesions, symptoms and response to therapy has never been tested in a large cohort. The aim of this study was to determine whether specific histological features correlate with clinical and endoscopic findings when Candida is found in oesophageal biopsies. METHODS AND RESULTS We reviewed 271 biopsies in which Candida was detected. Cases were evaluated for the presence of desquamated epithelial cells, location/type of fungal forms, neutrophils, and ulceration. Medical records were reviewed for clinical history, endoscopic lesions, and response to antifungal therapy. Statistical analysis was used to determine whether any histological features significantly correlated with clinical variables. There were 120 males and 151 females with a mean age of 42 years. Fifty-nine per cent had symptoms referable to the oesophagus, particularly dysphagia (36%). Most (73%) patients had abnormal endoscopic findings, with plaques, ulcers, or macroscopic evidence of oesophagitis. Seventy-one per cent of patients with documented antifungal therapy showed symptomatic improvement. Overall, there was no statistically significant correlation between any histological feature and presenting symptoms, endoscopic findings, or response to therapy. Importantly, the lack of pseudohyphae, demonstrable invasion of intact epithelium or neutrophilic infiltrates did not exclude clinically significant infection. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that detection of Candida in oesophageal biopsies is always potentially clinically significant. Treatment decisions should be made on the basis of an integration of clinical, endoscopic and histological findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Hissong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shula Schechter
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan Mowers
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rhonda K Yantiss
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tomas Slavik
- Ampath Pathology Laboratories, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jerome Cheng
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Laura W Lamps
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Moiseff R, Olson N, Suriawinata AA, Rothstein RI, Lisovsky M. CD8 T-Cell-Predominant Lymphocytic Esophagitis is One of the Major Patterns of Lymphocytic Inflammation in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2020; 145:1138-1143. [PMID: 33373450 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2020-0430-oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT.— Published reports have suggested an association of lymphocytic esophagitis (LyE) with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and primary motility disorders and have also shown that GERD and motility disorders frequently overlap. These findings make it difficult to determine the true relationship between LyE and GERD, which may be confounded by the presence of motility disorders with LyE. OBJECTIVE.— To characterize patterns of lymphocytic inflammation in patients with GERD that have no motility abnormalities. DESIGN.— We identified 161 patients seen at our institution from 1998 to 2014, who were diagnosed with GERD, had normal esophageal motility, and available esophageal biopsies. LyE was defined as peripapillary lymphocytosis with rare or absent granulocytes. CD4 and CD8 immunophenotype of lymphocytes was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS.— We found increased intraepithelial lymphocytes in 13.7% of patients with GERD. Two major patterns and 1 minor pattern of lymphocytic inflammation were observed as follows: (1) LyE (in 6.8% [11 of 161] of patients and typically focal), (2) dispersed lymphocytes in an area of reflux esophagitis (in 5.6% [9 of 161] and typically diffuse), and (3) peripapillary lymphocytes in an area of reflux esophagitis (in 1.2% [2 of 161]). CD8 T cells significantly outnumbered CD4 T cells in 91% of patients with lymphocytic esophagitis and 100% of patients with dispersed lymphocytes (9 of 9) or peripapillary lymphocytes (2 of 2) in the area of reflux esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS.— These findings suggest that LyE is one of the major patterns of lymphocytic inflammation in GERD. CD8 T-cell-predominant immunophenotype may be useful as a marker of GERD in the differential diagnosis of LyE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Moiseff
- From the Department of Pathology (Moiseff, Olson, Suriawinata, Lisovsky)
| | - Nicholas Olson
- From the Department of Pathology (Moiseff, Olson, Suriawinata, Lisovsky).,Olson is currently located at Physicians Laboratory in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | | | - Richard I Rothstein
- and Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Rothstein), at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Mikhail Lisovsky
- From the Department of Pathology (Moiseff, Olson, Suriawinata, Lisovsky)
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Esophagitis in patients without gastroesophageal reflux disease or eosinophilic esophagitis: diagnostic considerations. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2019; 35:379-386. [PMID: 33216485 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000000539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW A multitude of inflammatory diseases other than gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and eosinophilic esophagitis can affect the esophagus. Despite the deceptively simple organization of squamous mucosa and its limited number of inflammatory responses, a wide array of histologic patterns can be seen in inflammatory disorders involving the esophagus. Each such histologic pattern is associated with a limited number of underlying conditions, and the clinician can use this information to narrow the differential diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to review and discuss the pathologic diagnosis of esophagitis caused by conditions other than GERD or eosinophilic esophagitis, with an emphasis on recent developments in the field. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies suggest that lymphocytic esophagitis may be a histologic manifestation of esophageal motility disorders. Immunophenotypic features of infiltrating lymphocytes may be helpful in this scenario. immunoglobulin G4-related disease has been implicated as a cause of esophageal inflammation with ulceration, strictures, and mass-forming fibrosis, whereas epidermoid metaplasia has been linked molecularly to the squamous cell neoplasia pathway. SUMMARY Improved knowledge and appreciation of the pathology of esophageal inflammation are needed to better understand the pathogenesis of various types of esophagitis, and to inform new approaches to the therapy and management of inflammatory esophageal diseases.
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Abuquteish D, Siddiqui I, Putra J. Lymphocytic Esophagitis: Inflammatory Pattern of Candida Esophagitis in a Patient With Ulcerative Colitis. Int J Surg Pathol 2019; 27:762. [PMID: 30651012 DOI: 10.1177/1066896918824023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Iram Siddiqui
- 1 Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juan Putra
- 1 Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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