FGF9-induced proliferative response to eosinophilic inflammation in oesophagitis
2009

FGF9 and Eosinophilic Oesophagitis

Sample size: 21 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mulder D J, Pacheco I, Hurlbut D J, Mak N, Furuta G T, MacLeod R J, Justinich C J

Primary Institution: Queen’s University

Hypothesis

MBP released from eosinophils acts on oesophageal epithelial cells to cause changes in oesophagitis.

Conclusion

Eosinophil-released MBP increases FGF9 in oesophageal epithelial cells, leading to proliferation, and increased FGF9 is found in biopsies of EoE patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • FGF9 was secreted by HET-1A cells treated with polyarginine and MBP-peptide.
  • FGF9 was increased in biopsies from patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis.
  • HET-1A cells proliferated following rhFGF9 treatment.
  • Patients with EoE had abnormal endoscopic features and increased eosinophils.

Takeaway

When eosinophils release a protein called MBP, it makes another protein called FGF9 that helps cells in the esophagus grow too much, which can cause problems.

Methodology

Human oesophageal epithelial cells were treated with MBP-peptide and polyarginine to measure FGF9 production and cell proliferation.

Limitations

The study is limited to a small sample size and specific patient demographics.

Participant Demographics

21 pediatric patients, average age 10.4 years, with 71.4% male in the EoE group.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1136/gut.2008.157628

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