Genes Associated with Food Allergy and Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Abstract
The ingestion of food antigens plays an essential role in the development of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) as total removal of dietary antigens by using an amino acid based oral formula improves clinical symptoms and esophageal histology in 98% of patients with EE within a month. EE is thought to be mediated by both IgE and non-IgE mediated food allergy. In this study we are particularly interested in identifying genes in EE linked to a significant complication of EE namely esophageal stricture formation. This study focuses on increasing our understanding of two genes (TGF-b and acidic chitinase) associated with remodeling and stricture formation in the esophagus in EE. The importance of TGF-b and acidic chitinase to the development of egg induced remodeling of the esophagus is being studied in a mouse model in which either TGF-b signaling or acidic chitinase activity is neutralized. In the 6 months since the mouse protocol was approved we have completed breeding of Smad3 deficient mice and investigated whether TGF-b is important in egg induced remodeling in a mouse model of EE in Smad-3 deficient mice (deficient in TGF-b signaling) compared to WT mice. Results will be available in 6 months.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA555029
Entities
People
- David Broide
Organizations
- University of California, San Diego