Autoimmunity (Nov 2022)

Identification of mite-specific eosinophils in the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis

  • Shu-Wang Peng,
  • Jiang-Ming Sheng,
  • Bai-Sui Feng,
  • Ke-Ping Peng,
  • Gui-Xiang Tian,
  • Cheng-Bai Liang,
  • Ming-Hui Liu,
  • Hai-Qing Xie,
  • Qing Shu,
  • Yan Li,
  • Ping-Chang Yang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/08916934.2022.2114467
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 55, no. 8
pp. 549 – 558

Abstract

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The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear. House dust mite (HDM) is associated with immune inflammation in the body. This study is designed to identify the association between HDM and UC clinical symptoms. UC patients (n = 86) and non-UC control (NC) subjects (n = 64) were recruited. Colon lavage fluids (CLF) were collected from HDM skin prick test positive patients during colonoscopy, and analyzed by immunological approaches. HDM was detected in fecal samples, which was positively correlated with UC clinical symptoms. HDM-specific eosinophils and Th2 cells were detected in CLF, which could be specifically activated by exposing to HDM in the culture. Direct exposure to HDM induced eosinophil activation in the colon of UC patients. UC patients displayed elevated levels of Th2 cytokines in the serum. UC clinical symptom scores were positively correlated with serum levels of Th2 cytokines. HDM was detected in UC patients’ stools, which was positively correlated with UC clinical symptoms. Direct exposure to HDM could trigger eosinophilic activation of the colon.

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