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Mucosal Th17 Cells Are Increased in Pediatric Functional Dyspepsia Associated with Chronic Gastritis

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Abstract

Background

Chronic gastritis is a common histologic finding in children with functional dyspepsia (FD). While Th17 cells have been implicated in other forms of gastritis, they have not been evaluated in chronic gastritis.

Aims

The aim of the current study was to assess Th17 cells in children with FD with and without chronic gastritis.

Methods

Densities were determined for Th17 cells, eosinophils, and mast cells, respectively, in both the gastric antrum and the duodenum. Densities were compared between five groups: FD with chronic gastritis (N = 20), FD without chronic gastritis (N = 20), Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis (N = 10), Crohn’s gastritis (N = 10), and normal controls (N = 10). Th17 densities were also compared between patients with and without early satiety.

Results

FD with chronic gastritis was associated with higher Th17 cell density as compared to normal controls and comparable to both H. pylori-associated gastritis and Crohn’s gastritis. Eosinophil and mast cell densities were higher in FD patients with chronic gastritis as compared to either FD without gastritis or normal controls. Th17 density was higher in patients reporting early satiety but not in those with epigastric pain.

Conclusions

FD with chronic gastritis is associated with higher Th17 cell, eosinophil, and mast cell density as compared to FD without chronic gastritis or normal controls. Chronic gastritis demonstrated Th17 cell density similar to that seen in other conditions where Th17 cells are believed to play a pathogenic role. Th17 cells may represent another therapeutic target in these patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA

    Meenal Singh & Craig A. Friesen

  2. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Vivekanand Singh

  3. Division of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO, USA

    Jennifer V. Schurman

Authors
  1. Meenal Singh
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  2. Vivekanand Singh
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  3. Jennifer V. Schurman
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  4. Craig A. Friesen
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Correspondence to Craig A. Friesen.

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Appendix

Appendix

Specific questions utilized to define functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome by Rome IV criteria [4].

Functional Dyspepsia

  • Where is the location of your pain? (In addition, subjects mark pain sites on a diagram of the abdomen)

  • Do you feel full after eating a small amount (less than a normal-size meal)?

  • Do you feel bloated after eating a normal-size meal?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • Is your pain associated with a change in bowel movement frequency?

  • Is your pain associated with a change in bowel movement form or consistency?

  • Does your pain change (improve or worsen) with a bowel movement?

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Singh, M., Singh, V., Schurman, J.V. et al. Mucosal Th17 Cells Are Increased in Pediatric Functional Dyspepsia Associated with Chronic Gastritis. Dig Dis Sci 65, 3184–3190 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-019-06041-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-019-06041-3

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