Amniotic fluid modifies esophageal epithelium differentiation and inflammatory responses

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Developmental Biology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Pregnancy's genetic and environmental factors can lead to postnatal inflammatory diseases like eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
• Amniotic fluid (AF) plays a crucial role in fetal development and may influence susceptibility to these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of amniotic fluid on esophageal epithelial cell differentiation and their response to proallergic signals.
• To determine if AF composition differs between term and preterm births and correlates with inflammatory markers.

Main Methods:

• Multiplex cytokine analysis of amniotic fluid.
• Exposure of esophageal epithelial cells and 3D spheroids to amniotic fluid.
• Analysis of gene expression, including early response genes and IL-13 target genes like CCL26 and CAPN14.

Main Results:

• Amniotic fluid directly impacts esophageal epithelial cells, inducing gene expression changes.
• AF exposure modifies esophageal epithelial differentiation and enhances transcription of IL-13 target genes.
• Preterm AF, compared to term AF, upregulated CAPN14 expression in differentiated spheroids.

Conclusions:

• Amniotic fluid acts as a mediator of the intrauterine environment, influencing esophageal epithelial development.
• This interaction may predispose individuals to esophageal inflammatory disorders, including eosinophilic esophagitis.
• Specific cytokine profiles in AF, particularly in preterm births, may contribute to altered esophageal development and disease risk.