Eosinophils exert direct and indirect anti-tumorigenic effects in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [eos]

Eosinophils are present in several solid tumors and have context-dependent function. The role of eosinophils in the development of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC), 85% of esophageal cancers worldwide, is unknown. Mice were treated with 4-nitroquinolone-1-oxide (4-NQO) for 8 weeks followed by vehicle for 8 weeks to induce esophageal squamous pre-cancer. Eosinophil depletion using three mouse models resulted in exacerbated 4-NQO tumorigenesis. In order to study the transcriptional profiles of eosinophils specifically, we isolated eosinophils from esophageal tissue of WT mice which had been treated with 4-NQO in the pre-cancer model. Because eosinophils are not present in the esophagus normally, we isolated eosinophils from the colons of a random subset of the same mice. Additionally, we derived eosinophils from the bone marrow of a random subset of the same mice. C57/BL6 WT mice received 4-NQO for 8 weeks and propylene glycol for 8 weeks resulting in pre-cancer. Eosinophils were acquired from esophageal lamina propria and colonic lamina propria using immunomagnetic positive selection. Bone marrow-derived eosinophils were acquired.