Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2002 Mar;12(1):36-43.

Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta Receptors in Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome in Infancy

• Chung HL
• Chung SM
• Ha GA
• Lee JJ
• Choi EJ
• Kim JG
• Kim WT
• Nho US
• Hwang JB
• Park JJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a symptom complex of vomiting and diarrhea caused by non-IgE mediated allergy to cow's milk and/or soy in young infants. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta has been reported to protect the epithelial barrier of the gut from foreign antigens. We studied the expression of type 1 and 2 TGF-beta receptors in the mucosa of small intestine to investigate their roles in the pathogenesis of FPIES.
METHODS
Twenty-eight patients, aged 7 to 120 days (mean 49 days) who were diagnosed with FPIES by clinical criteria and challenge tests were included. Immunohistochemical stainings for type 1 and 2 TGF-beta receptors were performed on endoscopic duodenal biopsy specimens.
RESULTS
Type 1 and 2 TGF-beta receptors were expressed in the villous and crypt epithelial cells but nearly absent in the lamina propria in both patients and controls. Type 1 TGF-beta receptor expression was significantly lower in the patients who had villous atrophy than in the patients who had not and in controls. The expression of type 1 TGF-beta receptor was negatively correlated with the severity of villous atrophy. Type 2 TGF-beta receptor expression showed no significant difference between the patients and controls.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggests that the decreased activity of type 1 TGF-beta receptor is implicated in the pathogenesis of FPIES in young infants.

Keyword

Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome; TGF-beta receptor

MeSH Terms

Atrophy
Biopsy
Diarrhea
Enterocolitis*
Epithelial Cells
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Infant
Intestine, Small
Milk
Mucous Membrane
Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
Transforming Growth Factors
Vomiting
Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
Transforming Growth Factors