Eosinophil β1 Integrin Activation as a Biomarker for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

By definition, Eosinophil Esophagitis involves the presence of eosinophils in the esophageal mucosa. Although incompletely understood, the pathophysiology of Eosinophil Esophagitis is thought to include food allergen driven inflammation in the esophageal mucosa that triggers release of mediators for recruitment of eosinophils. The mediators, such as eotaxin, invoke eosinophil activation and trafficking into the esophageal tissue. The subsequent release of mediators from eosinophils and other cells, including mast cells and basophils, promotes inflammation and fibrosis resulting in Eosinophil Esophagitis symptoms. This protocol focuses on early eosinophil activation events in Eosinophil Esophagitis in the peripheral circulation, specifically activation of surface β1 integrin, as a biomarker for disease activity reflecting eosinophils destined for trafficking into the esophagus. Demonstrating a correlation between disease activity and a peripheral biomarker may ultimately facilitate a timelier, less invasive and less costly management strategy for Eosinophil Esophagitis.