Eotaxin-3 and a uniquely conserved gene-expression profile in eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an emerging disorder with a poorly understood pathogenesis. In order to define disease mechanisms, we took an empirical approach analyzing esophageal tissue by a genome-wide microarray expression analysis. EE patients had a striking transcript signature involving 1% of the human genome that was remarkably conserved across sex, age, and allergic status and was distinct from that associated with non-EE chronic esophagitis. Notably, the gene encoding the eosinophil-specific chemoattractant eotaxin-3 (also known as CCL26) was the most highly induced gene in EE patients compared with its expression level in healthy individuals. Esophageal eotaxin-3 mRNA and protein levels strongly…

• BW
  Burroughs Wellcome Fund
• CU
  Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Disease

  Award: R01 AI45898
• NI
  National Institutes of Health