ACLS
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Tantibhaedhyangkul, U.
Right arrow Articles by Davis, C. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Tantibhaedhyangkul, U.
Right arrow Articles by Davis, C. M.
Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science 39:99-107 (2009)
© 2009 Association of Clinical Scientists

Increased Esophageal Regulatory T Cells and Eosinophil Characteristics in Children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Usa Tantibhaedhyangkul1,3, Nina Tatevian2, Mark A. Gilger1, Angela M. Major2 and Carla M. Davis1
1 Departments of Pediatrics and 2 Pathology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; 3 Phramongkutklao Hospital, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand

Address correspondence to Carla M. Davis, M.D., Dept. of Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Hospital, 6621 Fannin St. (FC330.01), Houston, TX 77030-2399, USA; e-mail cmdavis{at}texaschildrenshospital.org; tel 832 824 1319; fax 832 825 1260.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have similar clinical presentations. The immunoregulatory mechanisms involved in both diseases are not clearly defined. We studied cellular inflammation in pediatric patients with EE and GERD compared to normal controls (NC). Pathology records were reviewed of 10 EE, 8 GERD, and 10 NC children who were seen at Texas Children’s Hospital in the past 3 yr. FOXP3, CD4, CD8, CD25, eotaxin-3, and IL-5 immunohistochemical stains were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded esophageal tissue sections and assessed by a blinded observer. The numbers of FOXP3+, CD25+, and CD8+ cells were significantly increased in both EE and GERD compared with NC. No significant differences in the numbers of FOXP3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD25+ cells were detected between the patients with EE and GERD. Eotaxin-3+ was found in mature epithelial cells and IL-5 was detected in esophageal intravascular space in all 3 groups. Eosinophil degranulation and microabscesses were significantly increased in EE compared to GERD. IL-5 was detected in vessels of the affected esophageal area and eotaxin-3 is produced locally by mature epithelial cells. Increased numbers of esophageal FOXP3+ regulatory T cells, and CD8+ T cells in both EE and GERD suggest that a negative feedback mechanism may regulate the inflammatory response.

Keywords: regulatory T cells, eosinophilic esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, IL-5, eotaxin-3






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2009 by the Association of Clinical Scientists.