Pathogenesis of allergen-induced eosinophilic esophagitis is independent of interleukin (IL)-13

Immunol Cell Biol. 2013 Jul;91(6):408-15. doi: 10.1038/icb.2013.21. Epub 2013 May 21.

Abstract

Several studies have shown that interleukin (IL)-13 is induced in the esophageal biopsies of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) patients and promotes esophageal eosinophilia in mice, following an IL-13 challenge. However, the role of IL-13 has not been clearly investigated in allergen-induced EoE. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that IL-13 is required in allergen-induced EoE. Mice deficient in IL-13, STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription)6 and both IL-4/IL-13 genes with their respective controls were challenged with Aspergillus extract, and IL-5 gene deficient with their control were challenged with recombinant IL-13, intranasally. The lung and esophageal eosinophils, mast cells and collagen accumulation were examined. Herein, we report that intranasal delivery of IL-13 promotes IL-5-dependent esophageal eosinophilia. However, allergen-induced EoE is not impaired in the IL-13 gene-deficient mice. In addition, wild-type and IL-13 gene-deficient mice demonstrated a comparable level of mast cells and collagen accumulation in the esophagus, following allergen-induced experimental EoE. Similarly, we found that esophageal eosinophilia in IL-4/IL-13 double gene-deficient and STAT6 gene-deficient mice were also not reduced following allergen-induced experimental EoE. In contrast, lung eosinophilia was significantly reduced in mice deficient in IL-13, both IL-4/IL-13 and STAT6 genes following allergen challenge. In conclusion, our data establish that allergen-induced EoE pathogenesis is independent of IL-13, whereas IL-13 is required for allergen-induced lung eosinophilia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Fungal / immunology
  • Aspergillus / immunology
  • Aspergillus / metabolism*
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis / immunology*
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Esophagus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-13 / genetics
  • Interleukin-13 / immunology
  • Interleukin-13 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Interleukin-5 / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Knockout
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / genetics

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-5
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Interleukin-4
  • Collagen