How genes and the immune system affect eosinophilic esophagitis
Official title: Genetic and Immunological Dissection of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11224046 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at genes and immune responses in people with eosinophilic esophagitis to find biological clues that could lead to better diagnosis and treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2015 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $678,808 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI124355-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11224046 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (age 21 and older) diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis and willing to provide clinical information and biological samples would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without EoE or whose swallowing symptoms are due to other conditions (for example GERD) are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this project combines genetic testing with lab studies of immune and esophageal tissue changes to understand what drives EoE. The team uses genome-wide methods to find genetic risk locations already suggested by earlier work (like regions near CAPN14 and TSLP) and then follows up with laboratory experiments to confirm how those genes affect the esophagus and immune cells. They examine samples and immune signals that link the lining of the esophagus (the epithelium) with allergic-type immune responses. The overall approach blends patient-derived data with bench experiments to point toward new diagnostic markers or treatment targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new tests or drug targets that improve diagnosis and treatment for people with EoE.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genetic and laboratory studies have already linked CAPN14 and TSLP to EoE and shown epithelial and immune changes, so this work builds on promising prior findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rothenberg, Marc E. — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Rothenberg, Marc E.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Esophageal antigen test-guided diet for eosinophilic esophagitis
A small, patient-friendly diet approach using a new esophageal antibody test aims to help people with eosinophilic esophagitis identify foods to avoid without repeated invasive procedures.
-
Allergic eosinophilic esophagitis drives dysregulated innate immunity in esophageal fibroblasts
This project studies why eosinophilic esophagitis, a chronic food allergy-related condition, causes lasting changes in the esophagus and how these changes could be treated to prevent scarring and complications.
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How environmental signals and a receptor may protect or worsen eosinophilic esophagitis
A new NIH grant is exploring how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the esophagus affects eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and how environmental factors might influence this condition.
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Toward personalized care for pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis using multimodal biomarkers
A pediatric-focused study will combine biochemical, structural, and molecular signals from the esophagus to better tailor treatment for kids with eosinophilic esophagitis.
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Role of protective proteins in the esophagus to treat eosinophilic esophagitis
A research project aims to understand how certain proteins protect or restore the esophageal lining in children with eosinophilic esophagitis and how this could lead to better long-lasting therapies.
-
Role of 1q21 Genetic Variants in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
This project looks at how genetic differences may make some people with allergies more likely to develop eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.