title: Metaplasia--a transdifferentiation process that facilitates cancer development: the model of gastric intestinal metaplasia.
abstract: Metaplasia, in general, and intestinal metaplasia, in particular, are transdifferentiation processes triggered by environmental aggressions. The heterogeneity of different morphologic variants of metaplasia and distinction from close morphologic entities--heterotopia and hamartoma--is reviewed. Recent data on the characterization of the molecular and epidemiological data involved in the development and progression of lesions of gastric intestinal metaplasia are discussed. A redefinition of intestinal metaplasia is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology (IPATIMUP), University of Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mesquita
authors.forename: Almeida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raquel
authors.forename: Lunet
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nuno
authors.forename: Celso A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Luís Filipe Santos
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Jacinta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serpa
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Seuningen
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008679:Metaplasia; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology