Food Protein-Induced Non-Immunoglobulin E-Mediated Allergic Colitis in Infants and Older Children: What Cytokines Are Involved?

Background: Food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) is mostly a non-immunoglobulin E-mediated disease where a T-cell-mediated reaction to cow's milk protein has been suggested. We determined the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, TGF-beta receptor-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, CD86, and CD23 on the colon mucosa to investigate their roles in the pathogenesis of the two subtypes of FPIAP, i.e. infantile FPIAP and FPIAP in older children. Methods: Group 1 comprised children with infantile FPIAP (age <6 months, n = 21), group 2 referred to FPIAP in older children (age > 1.5 years, n = 7), and group 3 included children with juvenile hyperplastic polyps (n = 22). Immunohistochemical staining of colonic biopsy specimens was performed. Results: The expression of TNF-alpha was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 compared to group 3. Group 2 patients had a significantly lower TGF-beta expression compared to the other groups. The expression of CD86 was higher in group 1 than in group 3 (p = 0.012). Eosinophil counts per high-power field in the lamina propria were significantly correlated with CD86 expression (p = 0.026, r = 0.388). Conclusion: Our results suggest that TNF-alpha is implicated in the pathogenesis of both types of FPIAP. The decreased activity of TGF-beta receptor-1 accompanied by the increased expression of CD86 in infants and the decreased activity of TGF-beta in older children appear to play a role in the development of FPIAP. (C) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel