Laryngeal epithelial defenses against laryngopharyngeal reflux: investigations of E-cadherin, carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme III, and pepsin.
OBJECTIVE
This is the third annual report of an international research network studying the cellular impact of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) on laryngeal epithelium. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of E-cadherin (epithelial cadherin; the intercellular junctional complex protein) in relation to the presence of (intracellular) pepsin and carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme III (CAIII).


METHODS
Fifty-four laryngeal biopsy specimens from 18 LPR patients were studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting for pepsin, E-cadherin, and CAIII. These data were compared to those from normal control subjects analyzed in another research study.


RESULTS
Intracellular pepsin was detected in LPR patients, but not in controls. E-cadherin expression was reduced in patients with LPR. Carbonic anhydrase III expression was not found in the vocal fold or in the majority of samples taken from the ventricle of LPR patients and was inversely associated with E-cadherin membranous expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of depleted E-cadherin and CAIII and the presence of pepsin appear to correlate with LPR. The reduced protective response indicated by the reduced expression of CAIII may play an important role in the disruption of the intercellular barrier associated with the down-regulation of E-cadherin.
Gill
Gulnaz A
GA
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, England.
Johnston
Nikki
N
Buda
Andrea
A
Pignatelli
Massimo
M
Pearson
Jeffrey
J
Dettmar
Peter W
PW
Koufman
Jamie
J
D001706:Biopsy; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D024403:Carbonic Anhydrase III / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D007830:Larynx / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010434:Pepsin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology*
D015820:Cadherins; D010434:Pepsin A; D024403:Carbonic Anhydrase III