Coordinate interaction between IL-13 and epithelial differentiation cluster genes in eosinophilic esophagitis.

We have previously proposed that the pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is mediated by an IL-13-driven epithelial cell response associated with marked gene dysregulation including eotaxin-3 overproduction. In this study, we compared epithelial responses between healthy patients and those with EE, aiming to uncover molecular explanations for EE pathogenesis. Esophageal epithelial cells could be maintained for up to five passages, with 67% and 62% of cell lines reaching confluence in healthy controls and EE cases, respectively.

Anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab) therapy reduces eosinophil activation ex vivo and increases IL-5 and IL-5 receptor levels.

Background: Anti-IL-5 might be a useful therapeutic agent for eosinophilic disorders, yet its immunologic consequences have not been well characterized.

Objective: We sought to characterize the hematologic and immunologic effects of anti-IL-5 in human subjects.

Methods: The effects of 3-month infusions of mepolizumab were assessed in 25 patients with a variety of eosinophilic syndromes.

Interplay of adaptive th2 immunity with eotaxin-3/c-C chemokine receptor 3 in eosinophilic esophagitis.

Background: Pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a recently described disorder associated with atopy. Although studies of esophageal tissue suggest that Th2 cytokines and eotaxin-3 may be crucial in disease pathogenesis, little is known about the systemic immunological phenotypes of children with EE.

Objectives: To define the phenotypes of peripheral blood eosinophils and lymphocytes in EE and to examine for correlations between these parameters and tissue eosinophil numbers and disease severity.

Pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis: an 8-year follow-up.

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a gastrointestinal disorder that is increasingly diagnosed in pediatric patients.

Objective: We aimed to define, in pediatric patients with EE, their demographic and atopic characteristics, the histopathology of all segments of the gastrointestinal tract, and the effect of therapeutic interventions on the natural history.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a database of pediatric patients with EE followed over a period of 8 years.

Anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab) therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis.

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is characterized by high numbers of eosinophils in the esophagus and epithelial hyperplasia, and is being increasingly recognized. IL-5 promotes eosinophil trafficking to the esophagus, and positively regulates eosinophil growth, activation, survival, and tissue recruitment.

Objective: We hypothesized that the humanized monoclonal IgG(1) antibody against human IL-5 (mepolizumab) may be useful in the control of EE.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fluticasone propionate for pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis.

Background & Aims: Eosinophilic esophagitis is an increasingly recognized disorder with distinctive endoscopic, histologic, and allergic features. Although several therapies are advocated, no placebo-controlled trials have been conducted. We aimed to determine the efficacy of swallowed fluticasone propionate (FP) in the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Potential of blood eosinophils, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, and eotaxin-3 as biomarkers of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Background & Aims: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an increasingly recognized disorder characterized by eosinophilic inflammation of the esophageal mucosa, and typically requires serial invasive endoscopic biopsy examinations to document the characteristic histologic features of the disorder. The aim of this study was to identify noninvasive biomarkers that correlated with disease activity and response to treatment as measured by esophageal eosinophilia.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional analysis was performed on 47 pediatric patients undergoing endoscopic evaluation of possible EE.