IL-9 Alters Epithelial Barrier and E-cadherin in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic Th2-assocated inflammatory condition accompanied by substantial impairments in epithelial barrier function and increased numbers of IL-9 expressing inflammatory cells. While IL-9 is known to affect barrier function in the intestine, the functional effects of IL-9 on the esophagus are unclear. Herein we aimed to understand the expression of the IL-9 receptor and effects of IL-9 on the epithelium in EoE. Methods: We used esophageal biopsies from pediatric EoE patients with active and inactive disease to analyze the expression of the IL-9 receptor, the adherens junction protein E-cadherin and the tight junction protein claudin-1. We treated primary human esophageal epithelial cells with IL-9 to understand its effects on E-cadherin expression and function. Results: Active EoE subjects had increased epithelial expression of IL-9 receptor mRNA and protein (p 

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