Genetic and shared environmental risk factors do not lead to eosinophil activation in healthy twins of IBD patients. (2nd October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Halfvarson, Jonas; Ling Lundström, Maria; Lampinen, Maria; Schoultz, Ida; Bodin, Lennart; Carlson, Marie
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology. Volume 55:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 1163
• Page End: 1170
• Publication Date: 2020-10-02
• Subjects: Inflammatory bowel disease -- eosinophils -- twins -- faecal markers; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2020.1804994
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0036-5521

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To examine the role of eosinophils in the pre-diagnostic phase of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we studied the influence of genetic and shared environmental risk factors in a twin cohort of IBD. Material and methods: We analysed eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EDN) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in faecal samples from twin pairs with Crohn's disease ( n = 37) or ulcerative colitis ( n = 21) and from external healthy controls ( n = 44). Eosinophils stained with eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) were quantified in rectal biopsies. Ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Twins with Crohn' disease displayed higher levels of EDN (Ratio = 2.98, 1.65–5.37) and ECP (Ratio 1.83, 1.24–2.70) than their healthy siblings. Levels did not differ between healthy twin-siblings and external controls (EDN, Ratio = 1.52, 0.79–2.94 and ECP, Ratio = 0.93, 0.56–1.54). Higher levels of EDN (Ratio = 2.43, 1.13–5.24) and ECP (Ratio = 1.53, 0.92–2.53) were observed among twins with ulcerative colitis vs their healthy siblings. Levels did not differ between healthy twin-siblings and external controls (EDN, Ratio = 1.08, 0.51–2.25 and ECP, Ratio = 1.29, 0.74–2.26). Using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), we found no agreement in levels of EDN or ECP in discordant pairs, except for ECP in monozygotic Crohn's disease pairs (ICC = 0.63). In contrast, agreement was observed in monozygotic pairs concordant for Crohn's disease (EDN, ICC = 0.67 and ECP, ICC = 0.66). The number of eosinophils in rectum was increased in twins with ulcerative colitis vs their healthy sibling (Ratio = 2.22, 1.50–3.27). Conclusions: Activation of eosinophils in IBD seems to be a consequence of inflammation rather than an effect of genetic and shared environmental risk factors alone.