Inflammatory and Diarrheal Diseases
Yui-Hsi Wang, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics; Division of Allergy and Immunology
Description of Research
Food allergen-induced diarrhea is a hypersensitivity reaction that involves IgE-mediated humoral immune responses and TH2 cell mediated cellular inflammatory responses. It has been postulated that the inflammatory cytokine milieu induced by the immune complex or food allergen alters the epithelial barrier, leading to the gastrointestinal (GI) manifestation of food allergy. Dr. Wang’s digestive disease research goal is to identify the molecular triggers that can potentate allergic sensitization and TH2 functions, resulting in GI allergic inflammation. His previous studies and recent findings led him to focus on a distinct IL-17 inflammatory cytokine member, IL-25 (IL-17E). Dr. Wang has found IL-25 expression is significantly upregulated in the duodenum during the course of GI allergic inflammation in a mouse model of OVA-induced allergic diarrhea. Notably, he observed that transgenic mice overexpressing intestinal IL-25 exhibit goblet hyperplasia and increased infiltrations of eosinophils. Given the biology of IL-25, Dr. Wang hypothesizes IL-25 is a novel and key factor in regulating GI allergic inflammation. To determine the underlying mechanisms by which IL-25 triggers allergic inflammation in food allergen-induced diarrhea, Dr. Wang will identify IL-25-responding cells that can produce TH2 cytokine, in particular IL-9. His long term goal is to determine the role of IL-25/IL-9 axis in the GI manifestation of food allergy.
Collaborations and Core Use
Dr. Wang collaborates with Drs. Rothenberg and Hogan in determining the role of IL-25 in food allergen-induced allergic diarrhea. Anticipated use of Cores: Integrative Morphology and Gene and Protein Expression Cores.
