Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings
Published on: January 21, 2015
Mast cell-nerve interactions in children with functional dyspepsia
Michela G Schäppi1, Osvaldo Borrelli, Daniela Knafelz
1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland.
Insights
Cow's milk rapidly triggers neuroimmune responses in the gastric lining of atopic children, leading to abnormal stomach activity and functional dyspepsia symptoms. This study highlights early-onset food allergy mechanisms in pediatric digestive health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Neurogastroenterology
Background:
- Functional dyspepsia in children is often linked to food allergens.
- Atopy (allergic disposition) plays a significant role in food-triggered dyspepsia.
- Understanding the mechanisms of food-induced dyspepsia in children is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate eosinophil and mast cell distribution in the gastric antrum.
- To examine mast cell product interactions with gastric nerves.
- To assess changes in gastric antral muscle slow wave activity in children with functional dyspepsia, differentiating between atopic and non-atopic groups.
Main Methods:
- An open-label study involving gastric mucosal cow's milk challenge in children (ages 2-12) with functional dyspepsia.
- Simultaneous electrogastrography and gastroscopy were performed.
- Laser scanning fluorescence microscopy analyzed mast cell tryptase association with mucosal nerves before and after milk challenge.
Main Results:
- Atopic children showed increased eosinophils and mast cells in the gastric antrum, with rapid degranulation post-cow's milk challenge.
- Mast cells were closely associated with mucosal nerves, releasing tryptase that interacted with nerve receptors.
- Gastric antral slow wave activity became abnormal within 2 minutes of antigen challenge in atopic children, showing increased instability and altered myoelectrical activity.
Conclusions:
- Cow's milk exposure induces early neuroimmune interactions in the gastric mucosa of atopic children.
- These interactions rapidly disrupt gastric myoelectrical activity, contributing to dyspeptic symptoms.
- The findings underscore the role of neuroimmune pathways in atopy-related pediatric functional dyspepsia.
Background And Aims:
Functional dyspepsia in childhood is commonly triggered by food allergen in sensitised individuals. We investigated the topography of eosinophils and mast cells in gastric antral lamina propria, the interaction of mast cell products with mucosal nerve fibres, and changes in gastric antral muscle slow wave activity in children with atopy and non-atopy-related functional dyspepsia.
Patients And Methods:
Open label study of gastric mucosal cow's milk challenge in 10 atopic and 6 nonatopic children (ages 2-12 years) investigated consecutively with gastroscopy for functional dyspepsia. Simultaneous surface electrogastrography and milk challenge were undertaken and laser scanning fluorescence microscopy used to examine the association of mast cell tryptase with mucosal nerves in the gastric mucosa before and after challenge.
Results:
Eosinophils and mast cells within the lamina propria were increased in number in children with atopic functional dyspepsia and degranulated rapidly after cow's milk challenge in the atopic group. For degranulating eosinophils, median = 13.0% (interquartile range = 3.7-31.0) premilk versus 32.0% (12.0-42.0) after milk biopsies (P < 0.05); for degranulating mast cells, 5.35% (2.7-10.9) premilk biopsies versus 18.75% (12.9-22.1) after milk biopsies (P < 0.05). No such differences were seen in nonatopic patients. Mast cells were closely associated with mucosal nerve fibres and released tryptase, which colocalised with proteinase-activated receptors on mucosal nerve fibres. The gastric antral slow wave became abnormal within 2 minutes of antigen challenge in atopics with an increase in dominant frequency instability coefficient (P < 0.005), decrease in 3 cycles per minute myoelectrical activity (P < 0.01), and increase in bradygastria (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
Early-onset neuroimmune interactions induced by cow's milk in the gastric mucosa of atopic children are associated with rapid disturbance of gastric myoelectrical activity and dyspeptic symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Injurious Factors
In the antrum region, G cells secrete the gastrin hormone that binds to gastrin-cholecystokinin-B (CCK2) receptors on parietal and enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the fundic glands. Simultaneously, the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine, which binds to M3...
01:23Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
01:27Esophageal Achalasia
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:28Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
01:28Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Histamine H2-Receptor Antagonists