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Transcriptomic profiling of the acute mucosal response to local food injections in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis

ABSTRACT: Background: Exposure of the esophageal mucosa to food allergens can cause acute mucosal responses in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), but the underlying local immune mechanisms driving these acute responses are not well understood. Objective: To gain insight into the early transcriptomic changes that occur during an acute mucosal response to food allergens in EoE. Methods: Bulk RNA-sequencing was performed on esophageal biopsies from adult EoE patients (n = 5) collected before and 20 minutes after intramucosal injection of various food extracts in the esophagus. Baseline biopsies from non-EoE controls (n = 5) were also included. Results: At baseline, the transcriptome of the EoE patients showed increased expression of genes related to an EoE signature. After local food injection, we identified 40 genes with a potential role in the early immune response to food allergens (most notably CEBPB, IL1B, TNFSF18, PHLDA2, and SLC15A3). These 40 genes were enriched in processes related to immune activation, such as the acute phase response, cellular responses to external stimuli, and cell population proliferation. TNFSF18 (also called GITRL), a member of the TNF superfamily that is best studied for its co-stimulatory effect on T cells, was the most dysregulated early EoE gene showing a 12-fold increase compared with baseline and an 18-fold increase compared with a negative visual response. Further experiments showed that the esophageal epithelium may be an important source of TNFSF18 in EoE, which was rapidly induced by stimulating differentiated esophageal epithelial cells with the key EoE cytokine interleukin-13. Conclusion: Our data provide unprecedented insight into the transcriptomic changes that mediate the acute mucosal immune response to food allergens in EoE, and suggests that TNFSF18 may be an important effector molecule in this response.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE246323 | GEO | 2023/11/15

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Introduction Disruption of the epithelial barrier can induce eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a TH2-mediated food- and aeroallergen associated chronic inflammatory disease 1, 2. The expression of IL-20 subfamily cytokines, IL-19, IL-20 and IL-24, is increased in TH2-mediated diseases, yet their function in EoE is unknown. Methods Combining RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and proteome analysis, we have examined the effects of the IL-20 subfamily on esophageal epithelial cells using patient-derived organoids and an experimental EoE mouse model. Results When stimulated with IL-20 subfamily cytokines patient-derived esophageal organoids showed decreased expression of Filaggrin (FLG) and Filaggrin 2 (FLG2) responsible for epithelial cornification. In agreement, EoE patients with active inflammation showed elevated IL-20 subfamily cytokines and decreased FLG and FLG2 expression. Topical corticosteroid treatment in EoE patients restored filaggrin expression, while reducing IL-20 subfamily cytokines. Abolishment of IL-20 subfamily signalling in Il20R2-/- animals attenuated experimental EoE in an OVA-induced mouse model. In the esophageal keratinocyte cell line, KYSE-180, we identified IL-20 subfamily-induced STAT3 and MAPK (ERK1/2) pathway activation. However, Stat3fl/flKrt5cre mice with an epithelium specific deletion of Stat3 developed exacerbated experimental EoE with a pronounced decrease of Flg2. In line, combined stimulation of patient-derived esophageal organoids with IL-20 subfamily cytokines and pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 resulted in aggravated decrease of FLG and FLG2. In addition, pharmacological STAT3 inhibition resulted in reduced transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased macromolecular flux in patient-derived air liquid interface (ALI) cultures. Whereas, inhibition of the MAPK (ERK1/2) pathway hampered IL-20 subfamily induced TEER reduction and paracellular flux increment. Finally, MAPK (ERK1/2) inhibitor treatment reduced infiltrating CD45+ immune cells in the esophagus and alleviated experimental EoE in mice. Conclusion We discovered a novel regulatory function of the IL-20 subfamily for epithelial barrier integrity. Aberrant IL-20 subfamily signaling disturbs the epithelial barrier function, while abrogation of IL-20 subfamily and ERK1/2 signaling restores epithelial integrity and attenuates experimental EoE. Therefore, we propose that targeting the IL-20 subfamily pathway could present a novel therapeutic strategy for EoE treatment.

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Transcriptomic profiling of the acute mucosal response to local food injections in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis

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