Do intraepithelial lymphocyte eotaxin-2 expression and perineural mast cell degranulation differentiate allergic/eosinophilic colitis from classic IBD?
Eotaxin-2+ IELs may contribute to the periepithelial eosinophil accumulation characteristic of allergic colitis. The colocalisation of IgE and tryptase with mucosal enteric nerves is likely to promote the dysmotility and visceral hyperalgesia classically seen in allergic gastrointestinal inflammation.
Collectively, these data delineate a novel paradigm where HCV may be related to liver pathogenesis through its ability to induce a local, intrahepatic TGF-β activation. They argue for a dual impact of HCV core on liver fibrosis and liver carcinogenesis: HCV core could act both as autocrine and paracrine factor modulating TGF-β responses within hepatocytes and in stromal environment through TGF-β activation.