Understanding Immune Signature of Foods in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

In Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a variety of foods trigger inflammation in the esophagus.  Diet elimination remains a mainstay treatment approach, with the number and type of food triggers varying between patients. Some respond well to eliminating a single food while others require the removal of multiple foods. Although no biomarkers or testing currently exist to help pinpoint specific triggers, previous studies have found a key role for white blood cells known as T-cells. This study will assess the novel association between individual food triggers and T-cell clonality. Dr. Wechsler and his team intend to examine esophageal biopsies for evidence of the specificity of immune response of white blood cells to specific foods. The researchers will use deep sequencing of the T-lymphocyte receptor to identify how frequently unique types of T-cells appear. The team hopes this data will help explain how the immune system “learns” to respond to specific foods and, ultimately, provide a potential...

Molecular Profiling and Associations with Clinical Phenotypes in Adult Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Principal Investigator:  Nirmala Gonsalves, MD Previously thought to be a rare disorder, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) has emerged as a common cause of swallowing problems (dysphagia) and esophageal dysfunction in adults. The condition arises when inflammatory cells called “eosinophils” wreak havoc on the esophagus by creating inflammation. Over time, the inflamed esophagus begins to undergo abnormal structural changes that can severely impede the passage of food and make it extremely difficult to eat or drink and live a normal life. EoE can lead to increased risk of food impactions, often requiring immediate medical attention. Occurring in 1 to 2 individuals per 10,000, EoE’s prevalence rivals that of other immunologically-related disease such as inflammatory bowel disease and can cause similar debilitating pain and discomfort. While diet changes and medications such as topical corticosteroids work well, matching the best treatment to the right patient remains challenging. Funded by a Digestive Health Foundation grant, Northwestern Medicine researchers led by Nirmala Gonsalves, MD, a faculty member in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, hope to uncover genetic differences between EoE patients that could lead to better predictors of treatment response and more personalized care. Northwestern Medicine currently has one of the world’s largest cohorts of adults being diagnosed and treated with EoE. Some 700 esophageal tissue samples from these patients, collected at various points in their disease progression, provide an invaluable resource for study. Dr. Gonsalves’ research team plans to mine Northwestern’s comprehensive clinical database (NUCATS) in combination with sophisticated genetic testing and analysis of tissue biopsies. The grant will allow investigators to embark on what will be the largest molecular-phenotype association study of...