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Mucosal Th17 Cells Are Increased in Pediatric Functional Dyspepsia Associated with Chronic Gastritis
Meenal Singh1, Vivekanand Singh2, Jennifer V Schurman3
1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Mercy Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.
Insights
Children with functional dyspepsia (FD) and chronic gastritis show increased Th17 cells, similar to other gastritis types. These findings suggest Th17 cells may be a therapeutic target for pediatric FD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Gastrointestinal Pathology
Background:
- Chronic gastritis is frequently observed in pediatric functional dyspepsia (FD).
- Th17 cells are implicated in gastritis but unstudied in pediatric chronic gastritis associated with FD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Th17 cell densities in children with FD, with and without chronic gastritis.
- To compare Th17 cells with eosinophils and mast cells in different pediatric gastrointestinal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Quantified Th17 cells, eosinophils, and mast cells in gastric antrum and duodenum.
- Compared cell densities across five groups: FD with gastritis, FD without gastritis, H. pylori gastritis, Crohn's gastritis, and controls.
- Assessed Th17 density correlation with early satiety and epigastric pain.
Main Results:
- FD with chronic gastritis showed significantly higher Th17 cell density than controls.
- Th17 densities in FD with chronic gastritis were comparable to H. pylori and Crohn's gastritis.
- Elevated eosinophil and mast cell densities were found in FD with chronic gastritis compared to FD without gastritis and controls.
- Higher Th17 density correlated with early satiety in FD patients.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric FD with chronic gastritis exhibits increased Th17, eosinophil, and mast cell densities.
- Chronic gastritis in FD shares Th17 cell profiles with other inflammatory conditions.
- Th17 cells represent a potential therapeutic target for pediatric FD with chronic gastritis.
Background:
Chronic gastritis is a common histologic finding in children with functional dyspepsia (FD). While Th17 cells have been implicated in other forms of gastritis, they have not been evaluated in chronic gastritis.
Aims:
The aim of the current study was to assess Th17 cells in children with FD with and without chronic gastritis.
Methods:
Densities were determined for Th17 cells, eosinophils, and mast cells, respectively, in both the gastric antrum and the duodenum. Densities were compared between five groups: FD with chronic gastritis (N = 20), FD without chronic gastritis (N = 20), Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis (N = 10), Crohn's gastritis (N = 10), and normal controls (N = 10). Th17 densities were also compared between patients with and without early satiety.
Results:
FD with chronic gastritis was associated with higher Th17 cell density as compared to normal controls and comparable to both H. pylori-associated gastritis and Crohn's gastritis. Eosinophil and mast cell densities were higher in FD patients with chronic gastritis as compared to either FD without gastritis or normal controls. Th17 density was higher in patients reporting early satiety but not in those with epigastric pain.
Conclusions:
FD with chronic gastritis is associated with higher Th17 cell, eosinophil, and mast cell density as compared to FD without chronic gastritis or normal controls. Chronic gastritis demonstrated Th17 cell density similar to that seen in other conditions where Th17 cells are believed to play a pathogenic role. Th17 cells may represent another therapeutic target in these patients.
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