Relevant to EoE, in which a significant proportion of patients have IgE-mediated food allergies [2], Stefka et al. recently showed that the presence of specific gut commensals are protective against development of food allergy in mouse models [15], potentially through enhancing epithelial barrier function and expansion of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) [16]. The gene discussed is FOXP3; the disease is food allergy.