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Yao L, Liu Z, Chen W, Xu J, Xu X, Xu J, Ma L, Li X, Li Q, Zhou P. Imbalance of Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Esophageal Achalasia. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2023; 29:486-500. [PMID: 37586778 PMCID: PMC10577470 DOI: 10.5056/jnm21246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Previous studies reveal that immune-mediated neuroinflammation plays a key role in the etiology of esophageal achalasia. However, the understanding of leucocyte phenotype and proportion is limited. This study aim to evaluate the phenotypes of leukocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells transcriptomes in esophageal achalasia. Methods We performed high-dimensional flow cytometry to identified subsets of peripheral leukocytes, and further validated in lower esophageal sphincter histologically. RNA sequencing was applied to investigate the transcriptional changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with achalasia. Cell-type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT) was used for estimating the immune cell types. A differential gene expression analysis was performed and the differential expressed genes were subjected to gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes network, protein-protein interaction network construction. Results An imbalance between innate and adaptive immune cells occurred in achalasia. Specifically, neutrophils and CD8+ T cells increased both in peripheral blood and lower esophageal sphincter in achalasia. Eosinophils decreased in peripheral blood but massively infiltrated in lower esophageal sphincter. CIBERSORT analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells RNA sequencing displayed an increased prevalence of CD8+ T cells. 170 dysregulated genes were identified in achalasia, which were enriched in immune cells migration, immune response, etc. Proton pump inhibitor analysis revealed the intersections and gained 7 hub genes in achalasia, which were IL-6, Toll-like receptor 2, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor, complement C3, and complement C1q A chain. Conclusion Patients with achalasia exhibited an imbalance of systematic innate and adaptive immunity, which may play an important role in the development of achalasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yao
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zuqiang Liu
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weifeng Chen
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaqi Xu
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyue Xu
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaxin Xu
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liyun Ma
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quanlin Li
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pinghong Zhou
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Jerie M, Vackova Z, Vojtech Z, Mares J, Meluzinova E, Krajciova J, Vymazal J, Cerna H, Martinek J. Prevalence of neurodegenerative/demyelinating disorders in patients with achalasia. Transl Neurosci 2022; 13:361-368. [PMID: 36304096 PMCID: PMC9552774 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Esophageal achalasia is a primary motility disorder. Although the exact pathogenesis is unknown, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative processes seem to be involved similarly to neurodegenerative and/or demyelinating disorders (NDDs). We hypothesized that the prevalence of NDD may be higher among patients with achalasia and vice versa as the background pathogenetic mechanisms are similar. Methods This was a prospective, comparative questionnaire-based study. Patients with achalasia and patients with NDD were enrolled. Selected patients with achalasia were thoroughly examined by a neurologist and selected patients with NDD were examined by a gastroenterologist to confirm or rule out NDD or achalasia. We assessed the prevalence of both achalasia and NDD and compared them with their prevalence in general population. Results A total of 150 patients with achalasia and 112 patients with NDD were enrolled. We observed an increased prevalence of NDD among patients with achalasia (6.0% (9/150); 95% CI (confidence interval): 3.1–11.2%) as compared to the estimated 2.0% prevalence in general population (p = 0.003). Although 32 out of 112 patients (28.6%) with NDD reported dysphagia, we did not observe significantly increased prevalence of achalasia in these patients (1.8% (2/112) vs 0.8% in general population, p = 0.226). Conclusion The prevalence of NDD was significantly higher among patients with achalasia (6.0%) compared to general population (2.0%), suggesting an association of these disorders. Large-volume studies are necessary to confirm this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Jerie
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Neurology, Na Homolce Hospital, 15000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Vackova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Vojtech
- Department of Neurology, Na Homolce Hospital, 15000 Prague, Czech Republic
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, 10000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Mares
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Meluzinova
- Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, 15000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Krajciova
- Institute of Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
- ResTrial s.r.o., 16000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Vymazal
- Department of Radiology, Na Homolce Hospital, 15000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Cerna
- Sarkamed s.r.o., 27401 Slany, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Martinek
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
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Savarino E, Bhatia S, Roman S, Sifrim D, Tack J, Thompson SK, Gyawali CP. Achalasia. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2022; 8:28. [PMID: 35513420 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-022-00356-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Achalasia is a rare disorder of the oesophageal smooth muscle characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or spastic contractions in the oesophageal body. The key pathophysiological mechanism is loss of inhibitory nerve function that probably results from an autoimmune attack targeting oesophageal myenteric nerves through cell-mediated and, possibly, antibody-mediated mechanisms. Achalasia incidence and prevalence increase with age, but the disorder can affect all ages and both sexes. Cardinal symptoms consist of dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain and weight loss. Several years can pass between symptom onset and an achalasia diagnosis. Evaluation starts with endoscopy to rule out structural causes, followed by high-resolution manometry and/or barium radiography. Functional lumen imaging probe can provide complementary evidence. Achalasia subtypes have management and prognostic implications. Although symptom questionnaires are not useful for diagnosis, the Eckardt score is a simple symptom scoring scale that helps to quantify symptom response to therapy. Oral pharmacotherapy is not particularly effective. Botulinum toxin injection into the LES can temporize symptoms and function as a bridge to definitive therapy. Pneumatic dilation, per-oral endoscopic myotomy and laparoscopic Heller myotomy can provide durable symptom benefit. End-stage achalasia with a dilated, non-functioning oesophagus may require oesophagectomy or enteral feeding into the stomach. Long-term complications can, rarely, include oesophageal cancer, but surveillance recommendations have not been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Savarino
- Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova (AOUP), Padua, Italy. .,Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology (DiSCOG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - Shobna Bhatia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Sabine Roman
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Digestive Physiology, Hopital E Herriot, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.,Inserm U1032, LabTAU, Lyon, France
| | - Daniel Sifrim
- Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jan Tack
- Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah K Thompson
- Discipline of Surgery, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - C Prakash Gyawali
- Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Wu XY, Liu ZQ, Wang Y, Chen WF, Gao PT, Li QL, Zhou PH. The etiology of achalasia: An immune-dominant disease. J Dig Dis 2021; 22:126-135. [PMID: 33583137 DOI: 10.1111/1751-2980.12973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence suggesting that an autoimmune component is involved in esophageal achalasia. An increase in immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and autoimmune antibodies in serum and infiltration of immune cells in tissues support the view that immune-mediated inflammation is a crucial pathogenesis of inhibitory neuron degeneration in the lower esophageal sphincter. Infection of viruses such as the herpes virus family has been suspected of provoking the autoimmune reaction. Meanwhile, previous reports on immunogenetics have proposed that specific risk alleles on the human leukocyte antigen complex define the susceptible population to achalasia. In this study we reviewed current knowledge regarding the immune-related factors of achalasia, including immunology, viral infection and immunogenetic variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Yue Wu
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zu Qiang Liu
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Feng Chen
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Ting Gao
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quan Lin Li
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Hong Zhou
- Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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