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Rodríguez-López EM, Hill DA. Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders and the role for the epithelium in pathogenesis and treatment. Curr Opin Pediatr 2024:00008480-990000000-00219. [PMID: 39319691 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001406] [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: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) and the role of the epithelium in influencing disease pathogenesis to inform and devise future therapeutic strategies. RECENT FINDINGS Changes in epithelial cell structure, functions, and integrity are observed in EGIDs. In eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), the esophageal epithelium has been shown to play key roles in perpetuating the inflammatory response in EoE through the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and immunological cell-surface proteins. Similar mechanisms appear to exist in the other EGIDs, including eosinophilic gastritis (EoG), eosinophilic enteritis (EoN), and eosinophilic colitis (EoC). Because of the increasing rarity of each non-EoE EGID, research focusing on how the epithelium is modulating disease in each lower gastrointestinal compartment is still in its rudimentary stages. SUMMARY While there has been significant progress in understanding the role of the epithelium in EoE, further research is needed to obtain a better understanding of the mechanisms mediating epithelial-immune crosstalk in non-EoE EGIDs. Using EoE-epithelial cell research to inform future EGID investigations could lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions, such as targeted therapies to restore epithelial barrier function and reduce inflammation, to improve rare disease-patient quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Rodríguez-López
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health
- Immunology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - David A Hill
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health
- Immunology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Parrish KM, Gestal MC. Eosinophils as drivers of bacterial immunomodulation and persistence. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0017524. [PMID: 39007622 PMCID: PMC11385729 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00175-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, eosinophils have been linked to parasitic infections and pathological disease states. However, emerging literature has unveiled a more nuanced and intricate role for these cells, demonstrating their key functions in maintaining mucosal homeostasis. Eosinophils exhibit diverse phenotypes and exert multifaceted effects during infections, ranging from promoting pathogen persistence to triggering allergic reactions. Our investigations primarily focus on Bordetella spp., with particular emphasis on Bordetella bronchiseptica, a natural murine pathogen that induces diseases in mice akin to pertussis in humans. Recent findings from our published work have unveiled a striking interaction between B. bronchiseptica and eosinophils, facilitated by the btrS-mediated mechanism. This interaction serves to enhance pathogen persistence while concurrently delaying adaptive immune responses. Notably, this role of eosinophils is only noted in the absence of a functional btrS signaling pathway, indicating that wild-type B. bronchiseptica, and possibly other Bordetella spp., possess such adeptness in manipulating eosinophils that the true function of these cells remains obscured during infection. In this review, we present the mounting evidence pointing toward eosinophils as targets of bacterial exploitation, facilitating pathogen persistence and fostering chronic infections in diverse mucosal sites, including the lungs, gut, and skin. We underscore the pivotal role of the master regulator of Bordetella pathogenesis, the sigma factor BtrS, in orchestrating eosinophil-dependent immunomodulation within the context of pulmonary infection. These putative convergent strategies of targeting eosinophils offer promising avenues for the development of novel therapeutics targeting respiratory and other mucosal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn M Parrish
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Monica C Gestal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
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3
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Gautam R, Lal M, Carroll MC, Mrozek Z, Trachsel T, Beers J, Ruffner MA. Proton pump inhibitors modulate esophageal epithelial barrier function and crosstalk with eosinophils. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.22.609219. [PMID: 39229135 PMCID: PMC11370561 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.22.609219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergic disease characterized by esophageal dysfunction, type-2 inflammation, and esophageal eosinophilic infiltrate. While proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy is commonly used for EoE management, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Methods Air-liquid interface culture of esophageal epithelial cells was employed to investigate the impact of the PPI omeprazole on barrier integrity in IL-13-treated cultures. Epithelial chemokine secretion was assessed following stimulation with IL-13 and omeprazole, and the migration of eosinophils from healthy human donors was evaluated using 3 μm pore-sized transwells. A co-culture system of epithelial cells and eosinophils was employed to study chemokine secretion and eosinophil adhesion and activation markers. Results Omeprazole treatment in the IL-13-treated air-liquid interface (ALI) model resulted in 186 differentially expressed genes and restored barrier integrity compared to ALI treated with IL-13 alone. Omeprazole treatment reduced STAT6 phosphorylation, downregulated calpain 14, and upregulated desmoglein-1 in the IL-13-treated air-liquid interface samples. IL-13-induced upregulation of Eotaxin-3, CXCL10, and periostin, but this was downregulated by omeprazole. Further, the expression of CD11b, CD18, and CD69 was lower on eosinophils from omeprazole-treated epithelial-eosinophil co-cultures, which also had lower levels of eotaxin-3, CXCL10, CCL2, and CCL4. Conclusion Omeprazole reduced the effects of IL-13 in both the epithelial air-liquid interface model and eosinophil-epithelial co-cultures, reducing barrier dysfunction, chemokine expression, and upregulation of eosinophil adhesion markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Gautam
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Megha Lal
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | | | - Zoe Mrozek
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Tina Trachsel
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Division of Allergy, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jarad Beers
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Melanie A Ruffner
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania
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Wright BL, Abonia JP, Abud EM, Aceves SS, Ackerman SJ, Braskett M, Chang JW, Chehade M, Constantine GM, Davis CM, Dellon ES, Doyle AD, Durban R, Hill DA, Jensen ET, Kewalramani A, Khoury P, Klion AD, Kottyan L, Kuang FL, McGowan EC, Ruffner MA, Spencer LA, Spergel JM, Uchida AM, Wechsler JB, Pesek RD. Advances and ongoing challenges in eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders presented at the CEGIR/TIGERs Symposium at the 2024 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology meeting. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024:S0091-6749(24)00779-6. [PMID: 39111348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
The Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal disease Researchers (CEGIR) and The International Gastrointestinal Eosinophil Researchers (TIGERs) organized a daylong symposium at the 2024 annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The symposium featured new discoveries in basic and translational research as well as debates on the mechanisms and management of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases. Updates on recent clinical trials and consensus guidelines were also presented. We summarize the updates on eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases presented at the symposium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Wright
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Ariz; Division of Allergy and Immunology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Ariz.
| | - Juan Pablo Abonia
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Edsel M Abud
- Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, Calif; Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of California, San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, Calif
| | - Seema S Aceves
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of California, San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, Calif
| | - Steven J Ackerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Melinda Braskett
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif
| | - Joy W Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich
| | - Mirna Chehade
- Mount Sinai Center for Eosinophilic Disorders, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Gregory M Constantine
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Carla M Davis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Immunology, Allergy, and Retrovirology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Tex
| | - Evan S Dellon
- Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Alfred D Doyle
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Ariz
| | | | - David A Hill
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Elizabeth T Jensen
- Departments of Epidemiology and Prevention and Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Section, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Anupama Kewalramani
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonology/Allergy, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Paneez Khoury
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Amy D Klion
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Leah Kottyan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Fei Li Kuang
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | - Emily C McGowan
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va
| | - Melanie A Ruffner
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Lisa A Spencer
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colo
| | - Jonathan M Spergel
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Amiko M Uchida
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Joshua B Wechsler
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Robert D Pesek
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Arkansas Children's Hospital, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark
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Sato H, Dellon ES, Aceves SS, Arva NC, Chehade M, Collins MH, Davis CM, Falk GW, Furuta GT, Gonsalves NP, Gupta SK, Hirano I, Hiremath G, Katzka DA, Khoury P, Leung J, Menard-Katcher P, Pesek R, Peterson KA, Pletneva MA, Spergel JM, Wechsler JB, Yang GY, Rothenberg ME, Shoda T. Clinical and molecular correlates of the Index of Severity for Eosinophilic Esophagitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 154:375-386.e4. [PMID: 38750825 PMCID: PMC11305930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Index of Severity for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (I-SEE) is a new expert-defined clinical tool that classifies disease severity of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine whether I-SEE is associated with patient characteristics, molecular features of EoE, or both. METHODS We analyzed a prospective cohort of patients with EoE from the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers (CEGIR). Associations between I-SEE and clinical and molecular features (assessed by an EoE diagnostic panel [EDP]) were assessed. RESULTS In 318 patients with chronic EoE (209 adults, 109 children), median total I-SEE score was 7.0, with a higher symptoms and complications score in children than adults (4.0 vs 1.0; P < .001) and higher inflammatory and fibrostenotic features scores in adults than children (3.0 vs 1.0 and 3.0 vs 0, respectively; both P < .001). Total I-SEE score had a bimodal distribution with the inactive to moderate categories and severe category. EDP score correlated with total I-SEE score (r = -0.352, P < .001) and both inflammatory and fibrostenotic features scores (r = -0.665, P < .001; r = -0.446, P < .001, respectively), but not with symptoms and complications scores (r = 0.047, P = .408). Molecular severity increased from inactive to mild and moderate, but not severe, categories. Longitudinal changes of modified I-SEE scores and inflammatory and fibrostenotic features scores reflected histologic and molecular activity. CONCLUSIONS I-SEE score is associated with select clinical features across severity categories and with EoE molecular features for nonsevere categories, warranting further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Sato
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Seema S Aceves
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, Calif
| | | | - Mirna Chehade
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Carla M Davis
- Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Tex
| | | | | | | | | | - Ikuo Hirano
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Robbie Pesek
- University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Little Rock, Ark
| | | | | | | | | | - Guang-Yu Yang
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | - Marc E Rothenberg
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Tetsuo Shoda
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Schworer SA, Olbrich CL, Larsen LD, Howard E, Liu L, Koyama K, Spencer LA. Notch 2 signaling contributes to intestinal eosinophil adaptations in steady state and tissue burden following oral allergen challenge. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 116:379-391. [PMID: 38789100 PMCID: PMC11271981 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils not only function as inflammatory effectors in allergic diseases, but also contribute to tissue homeostasis in steady state. Emerging data are revealing tissue eosinophils to be adaptive cells, imprinted by their local tissue microenvironment and exhibiting distinct functional phenotypes that may contribute to their homeostatic vs. inflammatory capacities. However, signaling pathways that regulate eosinophil tissue adaptations remain elusive. Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that mediates differential cell fate programming of both pre- and postmitotic immune cells. This study investigated a role for notch receptor 2 signaling in regulating eosinophil functions and tissue phenotype in both humans and mice. Notch 2 receptors were constitutively expressed and active in human blood eosinophils. Pharmacologic neutralization of notch 2 in ex vivo stimulated human eosinophils altered their activated transcriptome and prevented their cytokine-mediated survival. Genetic ablation of eosinophil-expressed notch 2 in mice diminished steady-state intestine-specific eosinophil adaptations and impaired their tissue retention in a food allergic response. In contrast, notch 2 had no effect on eosinophil phenotype or tissue inflammation within the context of allergic airways inflammation, suggesting that notch 2-dependent regulation of eosinophil phenotype and function is specific to the gut. These data reveal notch 2 signaling as a cell-intrinsic mechanism that contributes to eosinophil survival, function, and intestine-specific adaptations. The notch 2 pathway may represent a viable strategy to reprogram eosinophil functional phenotypes in gastrointestinal eosinophil-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Schworer
- Division of Allergy and Inflammation, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Marsico Lung Institute, 125 Mason Farm Road, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Courtney L Olbrich
- Division of Allergy and Inflammation, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, and Mucosal Inflammation Program, 12700 E. 19th Ave, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
- Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program, Digestive Health Institute, 13123 E. 16th Ave, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Leigha D Larsen
- Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, and Mucosal Inflammation Program, 12700 E. 19th Ave, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
- Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program, Digestive Health Institute, 13123 E. 16th Ave, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Emily Howard
- Division of Allergy and Inflammation, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Linying Liu
- Division of Allergy and Inflammation, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Kenya Koyama
- Division of Allergy and Inflammation, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Dokkyo Medical University, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibu, Shimotsugagun, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
| | - Lisa A Spencer
- Division of Allergy and Inflammation, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, and Mucosal Inflammation Program, 12700 E. 19th Ave, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
- Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program, Digestive Health Institute, 13123 E. 16th Ave, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, United States
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7
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Laky K, Frischmeyer-Guerrerio PA. Development and dysfunction of structural cells in eosinophilic esophagitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:1485-1499. [PMID: 38849184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a disorder characterized by dysfunction and chronic local inflammation of the esophagus. The incidence and prevalence of EoE are increasing worldwide. The mechanisms responsible are poorly understood, and effective treatment options are limited. From the lumen outward, the esophagus comprises stratified squamous epithelium, lamina propria, and muscle. The tissue-specific nature of EoE strongly suggests that structural cells in the esophagus are involved in the EoE diathesis. Epithelial basal cell hyperplasia and dilated intercellular spaces are cardinal features of EoE. Some patients with EoE develop lamina propria fibrosis, strictures, or esophageal muscle dysmotility. Clinical symptoms of EoE are only weakly correlated with peak eosinophil count, implying that other cell types contribute to EoE pathogenesis. Epithelial, endothelial, muscle, and fibroblast cells can each initiate inflammation and repair, regulate tissue resident immune cells, recruit peripheral leukocytes, and tailor adaptive immune cell responses. A better understanding of how structural cells maintain tissue homeostasis, respond to cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic stressors, and exacerbate and/or resolve inflammatory responses in the esophagus is needed. This knowledge will facilitate the development of more efficacious treatment strategies for EoE that can restore homeostasis of both hematopoietic and structural elements in the esophagus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Laky
- Food Allergy Research Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
| | - Pamela A Frischmeyer-Guerrerio
- Food Allergy Research Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
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8
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Dunn JLM, Szep A, Gonzalez Galan E, Zhang S, Marlman J, Caldwell J, Troutman TD, Rothenberg ME. Eosinophil Specialization Is Regulated by Exposure to the Esophageal Epithelial Microenvironment. J Leukoc Biol 2024:qiae102. [PMID: 38723185 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Distinct subsets of eosinophils are reported in inflammatory and healthy tissues, yet the functions of uniquely specialized eosinophils and the signals that elicit them, particularly in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), are not well understood. Herein, we report an ex-vivo system wherein freshly isolated human eosinophils were cocultured with esophageal epithelial cells and disease-relevant pro-inflammatory (IL-13) or pro-fibrotic (TGF-β) cytokines. Compared with untreated cocultures, IL-13 increased expression of CD69 on eosinophils, whereas TGF-β increased expression of CD81, CD62L, and CD25. Eosinophils from IL-13-treated cocultures demonstrated increased secretion of GRO-α, IL-8, and M-CSF and also generated increased extracellular peroxidase activity following activation. Eosinophils from TGF-β-treated cocultures secreted increased IL-6 and exhibited increased chemotactic response to CCL11 compared with eosinophils from untreated or IL-13-treated coculture conditions. When eosinophils from TGF-β-treated cocultures were cultured with fibroblasts, they upregulated SERPINE1 expression and fibronectin secretion by fibroblasts compared with eosinophils that were cultured with GM-CSF, alone. Translational studies revealed that CD62L was heterogeneously expressed by eosinophils in patient biopsies. Our results demonstrate that disease-relevant pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic signals present in the esophagus of EoE patients cause distinct profiles of eosinophil activation and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L M Dunn
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| | - Andrea Szep
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| | | | - Simin Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
| | - Justin Marlman
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| | - Julie Caldwell
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| | - Ty D Troutman
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| | - Marc E Rothenberg
- Division of Allergy & Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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9
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Yang F, Hu Y, Shi Z, Liu M, Hu K, Ye G, Pang Q, Hou R, Tang K, Zhu Y. The occurrence and development mechanisms of esophageal stricture: state of the art review. J Transl Med 2024; 22:123. [PMID: 38297325 PMCID: PMC10832115 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04932-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal strictures significantly impair patient quality of life and present a therapeutic challenge, particularly due to the high recurrence post-ESD/EMR. Current treatments manage symptoms rather than addressing the disease's etiology. This review concentrates on the mechanisms of esophageal stricture formation and recurrence, seeking to highlight areas for potential therapeutic intervention. METHODS A literature search was conducted through PUBMED using search terms: esophageal stricture, mucosal resection, submucosal dissection. Relevant articles were identified through manual review with reference lists reviewed for additional articles. RESULTS Preclinical studies and data from animal studies suggest that the mechanisms that may lead to esophageal stricture include overdifferentiation of fibroblasts, inflammatory response that is not healed in time, impaired epithelial barrier function, and multimethod factors leading to it. Dysfunction of the epithelial barrier may be the initiating mechanism for esophageal stricture. Achieving perfect in-epithelialization by tissue-engineered fabrication of cell patches has been shown to be effective in the treatment and prevention of esophageal strictures. CONCLUSION The development of esophageal stricture involves three stages: structural damage to the esophageal epithelial barrier (EEB), chronic inflammation, and severe fibrosis, in which dysfunction or damage to the EEB is the initiating mechanism leading to esophageal stricture. Re-epithelialization is essential for the treatment and prevention of esophageal stricture. This information will help clinicians or scientists to develop effective techniques to treat esophageal stricture in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yang
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiwei Hu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Zewen Shi
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, People's Republic of China
- Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, 315001, People's Republic of China
| | - Mujie Liu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Kefeng Hu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoliang Ye
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Pang
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruixia Hou
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Keqi Tang
- Institute of Mass Spectrometry, School of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yabin Zhu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Lal M, Burk CM, Gautam R, Mrozek Z, Trachsel T, Beers J, Carroll MC, Morgan DM, Muir AB, Shreffler WG, Ruffner MA. Interferon-γ signaling in eosinophilic esophagitis has implications for epithelial barrier function and programmed cell death. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.26.577407. [PMID: 38352458 PMCID: PMC10862711 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.577407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Objective Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic esophageal inflammatory disorder characterized by eosinophil-rich mucosal inflammation and tissue remodeling. Transcriptional profiling of esophageal biopsies has previously revealed upregulation of type I and II interferon (IFN) response genes. We aim to unravel interactions between immune and epithelial cells and examine functional significance in esophageal epithelial cells. Design We investigated epithelial gene expression from EoE patients using single-cell RNA sequencing and a confirmatory bulk RNA-sequencing experiment of isolated epithelial cells. The functional impact of interferon signaling on epithelial cells was investigated using in vitro organoid models. Results We observe upregulation of interferon response signature genes (ISGs) in the esophageal epithelium during active EoE compared to other cell types, single-cell data, and pathway analyses, identified upregulation in ISGs in epithelial cells isolated from EoE patients. Using an esophageal organoid and air-liquid interface models, we demonstrate that IFN-γ stimulation triggered disruption of esophageal epithelial differentiation, barrier integrity, and induced apoptosis via caspase upregulation. We show that an increase in cleaved caspase-3 is seen in EoE tissue and identify interferon gamma (IFNG) expression predominantly in a cluster of majority-CD8+ T cells with high expression of CD69 and FOS. Conclusion These findings offer insight into the interplay between immune and epithelial cells in EoE. Our data illustrate the relevance of several IFN-γ-mediated mechanisms on epithelial function in the esophagus, which have the potential to impact epithelial function during inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Lal
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caitlin M. Burk
- Food Allergy Center and Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ravi Gautam
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zoe Mrozek
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tina Trachsel
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Allergy, University Children’s Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jarad Beers
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret C. Carroll
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Duncan M. Morgan
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amanda B. Muir
- Divison of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania
| | - Wayne G. Shreffler
- Food Allergy Center and Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Melanie A. Ruffner
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania
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11
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Gruden E, Kienzl M, Ristic D, Kindler O, Kaspret DM, Schmid ST, Kargl J, Sturm E, Doyle AD, Wright BL, Baumann-Durchschein F, Konrad J, Blesl A, Schlager H, Schicho R. Mononuclear cell composition and activation in blood and mucosal tissue of eosinophilic esophagitis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1347259. [PMID: 38318168 PMCID: PMC10839056 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1347259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, inflammatory, antigen-driven disease of the esophagus. Tissue EoE pathology has previously been extensively characterized by novel transcriptomics and proteomic platforms, however the majority of surface marker determination and screening has been performed in blood due to mucosal tissue size limitations. While eosinophils, CD4+ T cells, mast cells and natural killer (NK) T cells were previously investigated in the context of EoE, an accurate picture of the composition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and their activation is missing. Methods In this study, we aimed to comprehensively analyze the composition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and their activation using surface marker measurements with multicolor flow cytometry simultaneously in both blood and mucosal tissue of patients with active EoE, inactive EoE, patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and controls. Moreover, we set out to validate our data in co-cultures of PBMC with human primary esophageal epithelial cells and in a novel inducible mouse model of eosinophilic esophagitis, characterized by extensive IL-33 secretion in the esophagus. Results Our results indicate that specific PBMC populations are enriched, and that they alter their surface expression of activation markers in mucosal tissue of active EoE. In particular, we observed upregulation of the immunomodulatory molecule CD38 on CD4+ T cells and on myeloid cells in biopsies of active EoE. Moreover, we observed significant upregulation of PD-1 on CD4+ and myeloid cells, which was even more prominent after corticosteroid treatment. With co-culture experiments we could demonstrate that direct cell contact is needed for PD-1 upregulation on CD4+ T cells. Finally, we validated our findings of PD-1 and CD38 upregulation in an inducible mouse model of EoE. Discussion Herein we show significant alterations in the PBMC activation profile of patients with active EoE in comparison to inactive EoE, GERD and controls, which could have potential implications for treatment. To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind expanding the multi-color flow cytometry approach in different patient groups using in vitro and in vivo translational models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Gruden
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Melanie Kienzl
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Dusica Ristic
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Oliver Kindler
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - David Markus Kaspret
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sophie Theresa Schmid
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Kargl
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Eva Sturm
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Alfred D. Doyle
- Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
| | - Benjamin L. Wright
- Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
| | - Franziska Baumann-Durchschein
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Konrad
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Blesl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hansjörg Schlager
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rudolf Schicho
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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12
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Appanna R, Gargano D, Caputo A, De Bartolomeis F, Ricciardi L, Santonicola A, Stefanelli B, Caiazza L, Guarciariello M, D'Antonio A, D'Auria R, Conti V, Casolaro V, Iovino P. Changes in mucosal IgG4 +- and IL-10 +-cell frequencies in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis on a two-food elimination diet. Clin Immunol 2023; 257:109853. [PMID: 38013163 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is increasingly diagnosed in patients with dysphagia. Type-2 immunity can induce EoE histopathology via non-IgE-dependent mechanisms, possibly involving IgG4 and IL-10. To elucidate the contribution of this response to EoE pathogenesis, we examined its association with clinical and histologic endpoints in adult EoE patients given a two-food elimination diet. IgG4- and IL-10-expressing cells were counted in esophageal biopsies and serum food-specific IgG4 measured at baseline and follow-up. Variables were correlated with histologic measures of disease activity. Patients exhibited significant reduction in esophageal eosinophilia and overall histology. A significant decrease in IL-10+-cell frequencies correlated with histologic changes. In contrast, a decline in serum and esophageal IgG4, while substantial, did not correlate with IL-10+-cell frequencies or histologic parameters. These results suggest a critical role of IL-10 in EoE pathogenesis. Conversely, IgG4 expression, while reflecting exposure to food antigens, is not obviously related to EoE histopathology or IL-10 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramapraba Appanna
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Caputo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy; San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Luca Ricciardi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Antonella Santonicola
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy; San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Berenice Stefanelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Laura Caiazza
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | | | - Antonio D'Antonio
- San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Raffaella D'Auria
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Valeria Conti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy; San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Casolaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy; San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital, Salerno, Italy.
| | - Paola Iovino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy; San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital, Salerno, Italy.
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13
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Kleuskens MTA, Bek MK, Al Halabi Y, Blokhuis BRJ, Diks MAP, Haasnoot ML, Garssen J, Bredenoord AJ, van Esch BCAM, Redegeld FA. Mast cells disrupt the function of the esophageal epithelial barrier. Mucosal Immunol 2023; 16:567-577. [PMID: 37302713 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) accumulate in the epithelium of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an inflammatory disorder characterized by extensive esophageal eosinophilic infiltration. Esophageal barrier dysfunction plays an important role in the pathophysiology of EoE. We hypothesized that MCs contribute to the observed impaired esophageal epithelial barrier. Herein, we demonstrate that coculture of differentiated esophageal epithelial cells with immunoglobulin E-activated MCs significanly decreased epithelial resistance by 30% and increased permeability by 22% compared with non-activated MCs. These changes were associated with decreased messenger RNA expression of barrier proteins filaggrin, desmoglein-1 and involucrin, and antiprotease serine peptidase inhibitor kazal type 7. Using targeted proteomics, we detected various cytokines in coculture supernatants, most notably granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and oncostatin M (OSM). OSM expression was increased by 12-fold in active EoE and associated with MC marker genes. Furthermore, OSM receptor-expressing esophageal epithelial cells were found in the esophageal tissue of patients with EoE, suggesting that the epithelial cells may respond to OSM. Stimulation of esophageal epithelial cells with OSM resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in barrier function and expression of filaggrin and desmoglein-1 and an increase in protease calpain-14. Taken together, these data suggest a role for MCs in decreasing esophageal epithelial barrier function in EoE, which may in part be mediated by OSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirelle T A Kleuskens
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marie K Bek
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Youmna Al Halabi
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart R J Blokhuis
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mara A P Diks
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maria L Haasnoot
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert J Bredenoord
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Betty C A M van Esch
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank A Redegeld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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14
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Yu X, Yuan H, Yang Y, Zheng W, Zheng X, Lu SH, Jiang W, Yu X. Mammalian esophageal stratified tissue homeostasis is maintained distinctively by the epithelial pluripotent p63 +Sox2 + and p63 -Sox2 + cell populations. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:305. [PMID: 37752383 PMCID: PMC11072776 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04952-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Self-renewing, damage-repair and differentiation of mammalian stratified squamous epithelia are subject to tissue homeostasis, but the regulation mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we investigate the esophageal squamous epithelial tissue homeostasis in vitro and in vivo. We establish a rat esophageal organoid (rEO) in vitro system and show that the landscapes of rEO formation, development and maturation trajectories can mimic those of rat esophageal epithelia in vivo. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), snapshot immunostaining and functional analyses of stratified "matured" rEOs define that the epithelial pluripotent stem cell determinants, p63 and Sox2, play crucial but distinctive roles for regulating mammalian esophageal tissue homeostasis. We identify two cell populations, p63+Sox2+ and p63-Sox2+, of which the p63+Sox2+ population presented at the basal layer is the cells of origin required for esophageal epithelial stemness maintenance and proliferation, whereas the p63-Sox2+ population presented at the suprabasal layers is the cells of origin having a dual role for esophageal epithelial differentiation (differentiation-prone fate) and rapid tissue damage-repair responses (proliferation-prone fate). Given the fact that p63 and Sox2 are developmental lineage oncogenes and commonly overexpressed in ESCC tissues, p63-Sox2+ population could not be detected in organoids formed by esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines. Taken together, these findings reveal that the tissue homeostasis is maintained distinctively by p63 and/or Sox2-dependent cell lineage populations required for the tissue renewing, damage-repair and protection of carcinogenesis in mammalian esophagi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Yu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yanan Yang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xuejing Zheng
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Departments of Orthopedics, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Shih-Hsin Lu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Xiying Yu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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15
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Murphy RC, Lai Y, Liu M, Al-Shaikhly T, Altman MC, Altemeier WA, Frevert CW, Debley JS, Piliponsky AM, Ziegler SF, Gharib SA, Hallstrand TS. Distinct Epithelial-Innate Immune Cell Transcriptional Circuits Underlie Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 207:1565-1575. [PMID: 37212596 PMCID: PMC10273121 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202209-1707oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Indirect airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is a highly specific feature of asthma, but the underlying mechanisms responsible for driving indirect AHR remain incompletely understood. Objectives: To identify differences in gene expression in epithelial brushings obtained from individuals with asthma who were characterized for indirect AHR in the form of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Methods: RNA-sequencing analysis was performed on epithelial brushings obtained from individuals with asthma with EIB (n = 11) and without EIB (n = 9). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the groups were correlated with measures of airway physiology, sputum inflammatory markers, and airway wall immunopathology. On the basis of these relationships, we examined the effects of primary airway epithelial cells (AECs) and specific epithelial cell-derived cytokines on both mast cells (MCs) and eosinophils (EOS). Measurements and Main Results: We identified 120 DEGs in individuals with and without EIB. Network analyses suggested critical roles for IL-33-, IL-18-, and IFN-γ-related signaling among these DEGs. IL1RL1 expression was positively correlated with the density of MCs in the epithelial compartment, and IL1RL1, IL18R1, and IFNG were positively correlated with the density of intraepithelial EOS. Subsequent ex vivo modeling demonstrated that AECs promote sustained type 2 (T2) inflammation in MCs and enhance IL-33-induced T2 gene expression. Furthermore, EOS increase the expression of IFNG and IL13 in response to both IL-18 and IL-33 as well as exposure to AECs. Conclusions: Circuits involving epithelial interactions with MCs and EOS are closely associated with indirect AHR. Ex vivo modeling indicates that epithelial-dependent regulation of these innate cells may be critical in indirect AHR and modulating T2 and non-T2 inflammation in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Murphy
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep
- Center for Lung Biology
| | - Ying Lai
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep
- Center for Lung Biology
| | - Matthew Liu
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep
- Center for Lung Biology
| | - Taha Al-Shaikhly
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
- Center for Lung Biology
| | - Matthew C. Altman
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
- Immunology Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | - Jason S. Debley
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Adrian M. Piliponsky
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Steven F. Ziegler
- Immunology Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sina A. Gharib
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep
- Center for Lung Biology
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16
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Fuller AD, Karami AL, Kabir MF, Klochkova A, Jackson JL, Mu A, Tan Y, Klein-Szanto AJ, Whelan KA. Eosinophilic esophagitis-associated epithelial remodeling may limit esophageal carcinogenesis. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2023; 4:1086032. [PMID: 37064719 PMCID: PMC10090679 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2023.1086032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Under homeostatic conditions, esophageal epithelium displays a proliferation/differentiation gradient that is generated as proliferative basal cells give rise to suprabasal cells then terminally differentiated superficial cells. This proliferation/differentiation gradient is often perturbed in esophageal pathologies. Basal cell hyperplasia may occur in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which acid from the stomach enters the esophagus, or eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an emerging form of food allergy. While GERD is a primary risk factor for esophageal cancer, epidemiological data suggests that EoE patients do not develop esophageal cancer. Methods In order to investigate the impact of EoE and esophageal cancer specifically on the cellular landscape of esophageal epithelium, we perform single cell RNA-sequencing in murine models of EoE and esophageal cancer, specifically esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We further evaluate modules of co-expressed genes in EoE- and ESCC-enriched epithelial cell clusters. Finally, we pair EoE and ESCC murine models to examine the functional relationship between these pathologies. Results In mice with either EoE or ESCC, we find expansion of cell populations as compared to normal esophageal epithelium. In mice with EoE, we detect distinct expansion of 4 suprabasal populations coupled with depletion of 2 basal populations. By contrast, mice with ESCC display unique expansion of 2 basal populations and 1 suprabasal population, as well as depletion of 2 suprabasal populations. Senescence, glucocorticoid receptor signaling, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor pathways are associated with EoE-enriched clusters while pathways associated with cell proliferation and metabolism are identified in ESCC-enriched clusters. Finally, our in vivo data demonstrate that exposure to EoE inflammation limits tumor burden of esophageal carcinogenesis. Discussion Our findings provide the first functional investigation of the relationship between EoE and esophageal cancer and suggest that esophageal epithelial remodeling events occurring in response to EoE inflammation may limit esophageal carcinogenesis. This investigation may have future implications for leveraging allergic inflammation-associated alterations in epithelial biology to prevent and/or treat esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie D. Fuller
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Adam L. Karami
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mohammad Faujul Kabir
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alena Klochkova
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jazmyne L. Jackson
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anbin Mu
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yinfei Tan
- Genomics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Kelly A. Whelan
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Cancer & Cellular Biology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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17
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Guo W, Zhou B, Yang Z, Liu X, Huai Q, Guo L, Xue X, Tan F, Li Y, Xue Q, Gao S, He J. Integrating microarray-based spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals tissue architecture in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. EBioMedicine 2022; 84:104281. [PMID: 36162205 PMCID: PMC9519476 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The tumor microenvironment (TME) serves as an important factor in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Although distinct cell subsets can be identified via single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), the spatial composition of cells within the TME is difficult to characterise. Methods Tissue samples were collected from three patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and scRNA-seq was performed to identify distinct cell subsets. In addition, a microarray-based spatial transcriptomics (ST) method was used to characterise the spatial landscape of expression data via an array of spots. Using multimodal intersection analysis (MIA) to integrate scRNA-seq and ST, the exact cellular components of the tumor and stromal regions were annotated. Findings The subpopulations of seven stromal cells were identified within the TME of ESCC, and the architecture of scRNA-seq-determined subsets was mapped in cancer and stromal regions. The distribution of various stromal cells and their subpopulations was heterogeneous. Compared with immune cells, non-immune stromal cells were significantly enriched in the TME. Most subsets of epithelial cells were enriched in the cancer regions, whereas inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts were correlated with the stromal regions. Furthermore, TME features were different between metastatic and non-metastatic samples and between the primary and metastatic sites of the metastatic sample. Interpretation This study revealed the spatial landscape of various cell subsets within the TME and the potential cross-talk among diverse cells, which provides novel insights into cancer intervention. Funding A full list of funding bodies that contributed to this study can be found in the Acknowledgements section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Therapy Research for Lung Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bolun Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenlin Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Echo Biotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Qilin Huai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemin Xue
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fengwei Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Therapy Research for Lung Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yin Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Xue
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Therapy Research for Lung Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shugeng Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Therapy Research for Lung Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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18
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Kaymak T, Kaya B, Wuggenig P, Nuciforo S, Göldi A, Oswald F, Roux J, Noti M, Melhem H, Hruz P, Niess JH. IL-20 subfamily cytokines impair the oesophageal epithelial barrier by diminishing filaggrin in eosinophilic oesophagitis. Gut 2022; 72:821-833. [PMID: 35613844 PMCID: PMC10086458 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Disruption of the epithelial barrier plays an essential role in developing eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), a disease defined by type 2 helper T cell (Th2)-mediated food-associated and aeroallergen-associated chronic inflammation. Although an increased expression of interleukin (IL)-20 subfamily members, IL-19, IL-20 and IL-24, in Th2-mediated diseases has been reported, their function in EoE remains unknown. DESIGN Combining transcriptomic, proteomic and functional analyses, we studied the importance of the IL-20 subfamily for EoE using patient-derived oesophageal three-dimensional models and an EoE mouse model. RESULTS Patients with active EoE have increased expression of IL-20 subfamily cytokines in the oesophagus and serum. In patient-derived oesophageal organoids stimulated with IL-20 cytokines, RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry revealed a downregulation of genes and proteins forming the cornified envelope, including filaggrins. On the contrary, abrogation of IL-20 subfamily signalling in Il20R2 -/- animals resulted in attenuated experimental EoE reflected by reduced eosinophil infiltration, lower Th2 cytokine expression and preserved expression of filaggrins in the oesophagus. Mechanistically, these observations were mediated by the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); extracellular-signal regulated kinases (ERK)1/2) pathway. Its blockade prevented epithelial barrier impairment in patient-derived air-liquid interface cultures stimulated with IL-20 cytokines and attenuated experimental EoE in mice. CONCLUSION Our findings reveal a previously unknown regulatory role of the IL-20 subfamily for oesophageal barrier function in the context of EoE. We propose that aberrant IL-20 subfamily signalling disturbs the oesophageal epithelial barrier integrity and promotes EoE development. Our study suggests that specific targeting of the IL-20 subfamily signalling pathway may present a novel strategy for the treatment of EoE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanay Kaymak
- Department of Biomedicine, Gastroenterology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Berna Kaya
- Department of Biomedicine, Gastroenterology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Wuggenig
- Department of Biomedicine, Gastroenterology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sandro Nuciforo
- Department of Biomedicine, Hepatology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Göldi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clarunis - University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Franz Oswald
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Julien Roux
- Department of Biomedicine, Gastroenterology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mario Noti
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, Current address: Nestlé SA, Nestlé Research, Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Gastrointestinal Health Immunology, Vers-Chez-les-Blancs, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hassan Melhem
- Department of Biomedicine, Gastroenterology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Petr Hruz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clarunis - University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Hendrik Niess
- Department of Biomedicine, Gastroenterology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland .,Department of Gastroenterology, Clarunis - University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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19
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Dunn JLM, Rothenberg ME. 2021 year in review: Spotlight on eosinophils. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 149:517-524. [PMID: 34838883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review highlights recent advances in the understanding of eosinophils and eosinophilic diseases, particularly eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases during the last year. The increasing incidence of diseases marked by eosinophilia has been documented and highlighted the need to understand eosinophil biology and eosinophilic contributions to disease. Significant insight into the nature of eosinophilic diseases has been achieved using next-generation sequencing technologies, proteomic analysis, and machine learning to analyze tissue biopsies. These technologies have elucidated mechanistic underpinnings of eosinophilic inflammation, delineated patient endotypes, and identified patient responses to therapeutic intervention. Importantly, recent clinical studies using mAbs that interfere with type 2 cytokine signaling or deplete eosinophils point to multiple and complex roles of eosinophils in tissues. Several studies identified distinct activation features of eosinophils in different tissues and disease states. The confluence of these studies supports a new paradigm of tissue-resident eosinophils that have pro- and anti-inflammatory immunomodulatory roles in allergic disease. Improved understanding of unique eosinophil activation states is now poised to identify novel therapeutic targets for eosinophilic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L M Dunn
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Marc E Rothenberg
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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20
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Eosinophils as Drivers of Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: Endotypes or Plasticity? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810150. [PMID: 34576313 PMCID: PMC8467265 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is now recognized as a heterogeneous disease, encompassing different phenotypes driven by distinct pathophysiological mechanisms called endotypes. Common phenotypes of asthma, referred to as eosinophilic asthma, are characterized by the presence of eosinophilia. Eosinophils are usually considered invariant, terminally differentiated effector cells and have become a primary therapeutic target in severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) and other eosinophil-associated diseases (EADs). Biological treatments that target eosinophils reveal an unexpectedly complex role of eosinophils in asthma, including in SEA, suggesting that "not all eosinophils are equal". In this review, we address our current understanding of the role of eosinophils in asthma with regard to asthma phenotypes and endotypes. We further address the possibility that different SEA phenotypes may involve differences in eosinophil biology. We discuss how these differences could arise through eosinophil "endotyping", viz. adaptations of eosinophil function imprinted during their development, or through tissue-induced plasticity, viz. local adaptations of eosinophil function through interaction with their lung tissue niches. In doing so, we also discuss opportunities, technical challenges, and open questions that, if addressed, might provide considerable benefits in guiding the choice of the most efficient precision therapies of SEA and, by extension, other EADs.
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