H.pylori infections induces a transcriptional signature in gastric eosinophils, as determined by RNA sequencing

Eosinophils are highly abundant throughout the gastrointestinal tract. However, their function in bacterially-induced gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders is poorly understood. In this study, we have examined the function and regulation of gastric eosinophils in the steady state and during infection with Helicobacter pylori. We find that eosinophils are recruited to sites of infection, make direct contact with live bacteria, and activate a signature transcriptional program. SiglecF+ CD11b+ MHCII- gastric eosinophils were sorted by flow cytometry from the gastric lamina propria of individual H. pylori-infected B6 mice or uninfected controls and compared for their gene expression profile.