Fig. 2: Corn extract-induced EoE pathogenesis.

A representative photomicrograph of immunofluorescence staining of NLRP3⁺/F4/80⁺ and NLRP3⁺/IL-18⁺ cells in esophageal tissue of mice sensitized with corn alum and challenged with corn extract and saline and NLRP3⁺/F4/80⁺ and NLRP3⁺/IL-18⁺ cells morphometric quantification is shown (a, b, i–iii). Anti-MBP-immunostaining detected MBP⁺ eosinophil accumulation in esophageal sections of corn alum-sensitized mice challenged with either corn extract or saline with morphometric quantification (c, i–iii). Ki-67⁺ epithelial cell hyperplasia and quantification of Ki-67⁺ cells with morphometric quantification in corn alum-sensitized mice challenged with corn (d, iii) and saline (d, i–ii). Western blot and densitometry analysis to confirm that epithelial cells and macrophages are the source of NLRP-3 regulated IL-18, Caspase, IL-18 and EPX from saline and Corn sensitized/corn challenged mice inflamed esophagus isolated epithelial cells and macrophages are analyzed and shown (e, f). Data are expressed as mean ± SD, n = 6–8 mice/group. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.001; ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001. Photomicrographs presented are ×400 original magnification (scale bar 20 µm). EP epithelium, LP lamina propria, MS muscularis mucosa, LU lumen.