title: Allergic mechanisms in eosinophilic esophagitis.
abstract: Eosinophilic esophagitis is rapidly increasing in incidence. It is associated with food antigen-triggered, eosinophil-predominant inflammation, and the pathogenic mechanisms have many similarities to other chronic atopic diseases. Studies in animal models and from patients have suggested that allergic sensitization leads to food-specific IgE and T-helper lymphocyte type 2 cells, both of which seem to contribute to the pathogenesis along with basophils, mast cells, and antigen-presenting cells. In this review our current understandings of the allergic mechanisms that drive eosinophilic esophagitis are outlined, drawing from clinical and translational studies in humans as well as experimental animal models.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Wechsler
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 240 East Huron Street, M315, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: p-bryce@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bryce
mesh_terms: D057765:Eosinophilic Esophagitis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Allergic mechanism; Antigen sensitization; Atopic; Eosinophilic esophagitis; Pathogenesis; T-helper lymphocyte type 2 immunity