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SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb
Gruden, E; Kienzl, M; Danner, L; Kaspret, DM; Pammer, A; Ristic, D; Kindler, O; Doyle, AD; Wright, BL; Taschler, U; Thomas, D; Gurke, R; Baumann-Durchschein, F; Konrad, J; Blesl, A; Schlager, H; Bärnthaler, T; Kargl, J; Schicho, R.
The Endocannabinoid System Drives Eosinophil Infiltration During Eosinophilic Esophagitis.
Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025; 19(8):101515
Doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2025.101515
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- Leading authors Med Uni Graz
- Gruden Eva
- Co-authors Med Uni Graz
- Bärnthaler Thomas
- Baumann-Durchschein Franziska
- Blesl Andreas
- Danner Laura Bianka
- Kargl Julia
- Kaspret David Markus
- Kienzl Melanie
- Kindler Oliver
- Konrad Julia
- Pammer Anja
- Ristic Dusica
- Schicho Rudolf
- Schlager Hansjörg
- Taschler Ulrike
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- Abstract:
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, inflammatory, and antigen-driven disease of the esophagus. Total transcriptome data revealed alterations in the endocannabinoid system, in particular, down-regulation of monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) in biopsies of patients with active EoE. We investigated the consequence of MGL down-regulation in mucosal biopsies of patients, and its implications for EoE development, such as recruitment of eosinophils. METHODS: Levels of MGL substrate 2-arachidonoylglycerol, MGL enzyme activity, and MGL colocalization with epithelial cells were determined in mucosal esophageal biopsies of patients with EoE. Supernatant of human primary esophageal epithelial cells was used to determine eosinophil migration and activation. An inducible mouse model of EoE was used to test MGL inhibition and cannabinoid (CB) receptor antagonism in vivo. RESULTS: MGL expression in esophageal epithelial cells from patients with active EoE is decreased, whereas 2-arachidonoylglycerol is increased compared with control subjects. Inhibition of MGL in epithelial cells leads to a proinflammatory phenotype capable of attracting eosinophils via CB2. Similarly, the EoE mouse model indicates that absence of MGL results in higher eosinophil infiltration. Targeting CB2 reduced the number of infiltrating eosinophils in the esophagi of mice. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first of its kind to investigate the involvement of altered expression of endocannabinoid system components in EoE, and partly explains recent findings of more inflammatory features post EoE-treatment in cannabis users. Our findings could pave the way for research into alternative treatment options for EoE and call for caution regarding the use of cannabinoids in EoE.
- Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis - pathology, immunology, metabolism
- Endocannabinoids - metabolism
- Animals - administration & dosage
- Humans - administration & dosage
- Eosinophils - immunology, metabolism, pathology
- Monoacylglycerol Lipases - metabolism, antagonists & inhibitors, genetics
- Mice - administration & dosage
- Disease Models, Animal - administration & dosage
- Glycerides - metabolism
- Arachidonic Acids - metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 - metabolism, antagonists & inhibitors
- Male - administration & dosage
- Female - administration & dosage
- Epithelial Cells - metabolism
- Esophageal Mucosa - pathology, metabolism, immunology
- Adult - administration & dosage
- Esophagus - pathology
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis
- Endocannabinoid System
- Monoacylglycerol (Monoglyceride) Lipase
- 2-Arachidonoylglycerol
- Esophageal Epithelial Cells
- Cannabi noid Receptors