Epithelial-Fibroblast Crosstalk in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

• Published in: Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology Vol. 17; no. 5; pp. 713 - 718
• Main Authors: Muir, Amanda B., Karakasheva, Tatiana A., Whelan, Kelly A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Eosinophilic Esophagitis; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Epithelial-Stromal Crosstalk; Esophageal Epithelium; Fibrosis; IL; SMA; EMT; TNF; ECM; GFP; TGF; Epithelial-Stromal Crosstalk; LOX; Esophageal Epithelium; Fibrosis; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; PAI; EoE; RFP; Eosinophilic Esophagitis; esophageal epithelium; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; fibrosis; Eosinophilic esophagitis; epithelial-stromal crosstalk
• ISSN: 2352-345X; 2352-345X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.020

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an emerging form of food allergy that exerts a significant clinical and financial burden worldwide. EoE is clinically characterized by eosinophil-rich inflammatory infiltrates in esophageal mucosa and esophageal dysfunction. Remodeling events in esophageal epithelium and lamina propria also frequently occur in patients with EoE. Because subepithelial fibrosis is associated with esophageal stricture, the most severe consequence of EoE, there exists an urgent need for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating fibrosis in EoE. Here, we review emerging evidence from experimental model systems that implicates crosstalk between esophageal epithelial cells and underlying stromal cells in EoE fibrosis. We further discuss implications for epithelial-stromal interaction with regard to EoE patient care and propose future directions that may be pursued to further the understanding of epithelial-stromal crosstalk in EoE pathobiology.