Involvement of mast cells in eosinophilic esophagitis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an emerging disorder with poorly understood pathogenesis.

Objective

Whereas prior studies have primarily focused on the role of eosinophils in disease diagnosis and pathogenesis, this study investigates the involvement of mast cells.

Methods

Total and degranulated mast cell counts were correlated to microarray and RT-PCR data to generate transcriptome expression profiles related to mast cell number and degranulation in patients with EE and healthy control subjects.

Results

Esophageal mastocytosis and mast cell degranulation were readily apparent in patients with EE compared with control subjects (P < .01), as assessed by staining for total mast cells and the presence of extracellular mast cell tryptase (P < .01). Micr

SUBMITTER: Abonia JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2902643 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature