Abstract
Background
The role of epithelial cells in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is not well understood. In this study, our aim was to isolate, culture, and expand esophageal epithelial cells obtained from patients with or without EoE and characterize differences observed over time in culture.
Methods
Biopsies were obtained at the time of endoscopy from children with EoE or suspected to have EoE. We established patient-derived esophageal epithelial cell (PDEEC) lines utilizing conditional reprogramming methods. We determined integrin profiles, gene expression, MHC class II expression, and reactivity to antigen stimulation.
Results
The PDEECs were found to maintain their phenotype over several passages. There were differences in integrin profiles and gene expression levels in EoE-Active compared to normal controls and EoE-Remission patients. Once stimulated with antigens, PDEECs express MHC class II molecules on their surface, and when co-cultured with autologous T-cells, there is increased IL-6 and TNF-α secretion in EoE-Active patients vs. controls.
Conclusion
We are able to isolate, culture, and expand esophageal epithelial cells from pediatric patients with and without EoE. Once stimulated with antigens, these cells express MHC class II molecules and behave as non-professional antigen-presenting cells. This method will help us in developing an ex vivo, individualized, patient-specific model for diagnostic testing for causative antigens.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank our research coordinators Miriam Lincoln, Chih-Chen Jennifer Wong, and Krista Spada for all their help in recruiting patients. We also would like to thank Evan Jellison, PhD, from the flow cytometry core at the University of Connecticut Health for helping with the flow cytometric analysis. This work was supported by Adopt a Friend Grant from the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Strategic Research Funds.
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Sayej, W.N., Foster, C., Jensen, T. et al. Expanding and characterizing esophageal epithelial cells obtained from children with eosinophilic esophagitis. Pediatr Res 84, 306–313 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0033-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-018-0033-9
