# Mitochondria in eosinophilic esophagitis pathogenesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH · 2024 · $714,767

## Abstract

Project Summary
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic food allergen- and immune-mediated disease that exerts a significant
clinical and financial burden worldwide. Interleukin (IL)-13 is an essential mediator of EoE due its pleotropic
effects on esophageal inflammation and tissue remodeling. We have identified IL-13 as a critical mediator of
increased mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release in esophageal epithelial cells. Our
preliminary data indicate that IL-13-mediated alterations in mitochondrial mass and mtDNA release are
dependent upon JAK/STAT signaling. We further provide preliminary data suggesting that depletion of
mitochondria limits EoE-associated epithelial remodeling and inflammation. These findings support our
overarching hypothesis that IL-13 in the EoE inflammatory milieu activates STAT signaling in esophageal
epithelium to drive alterations in mitochondrial biology that promote EoE pathogenesis and may serve as novel
biomarkers in EoE patients. To test this hypothesis, we will define the direct molecular mechanisms through
which IL-13 signaling regulates mitochondrial biology (Aim 1) and the functional significance of these findings
with regard to EoE-associated tissue remodeling and inflammation (Aim 2). Furthermore, we will elucidate the
clinical significance of EoE-associated alterations in mitochondria by exploring their biomarker potential in EoE
patients (Aim 3). The proposed studies will illuminate the IL-13/STAT/mitochondria axis as a novel player in EoE
pathobiology and have great potential to improve clinical care in this disease that remains a major cause of upper
GI morbidity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10882567
- **Project number:** 1R01DK136987-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelly A Whelan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $714,767
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-15 → 2028-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10882567

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10882567, Mitochondria in eosinophilic esophagitis pathogenesis (1R01DK136987-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10882567. Licensed CC0.

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