Dendritic cells in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Like other premalignant conditions that develop in the presence of chronic inflammation, the development and progression of Barrett's esophagus is associated with the development of an immune response, but how this immune response is regulated is poorly understood. A comprehensive literature search failed to find any report of the presence of dendritic cells in Barrett's intestinal metaplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma and this prompted our study.


METHODS
We used immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopy to examine whether dendritic cells are present in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining with CD83, a specific marker for dendritic cells, was performed on paraffin-embedded sections of Barrett's intestinal metaplasia (IM, n = 12), dysplasia (n = 11) and adenocarcinoma (n = 14).


RESULTS
CD83+ cells were identified in the lamina propria surrounding intestinal type glands in Barrett's IM, dysplasia, and cancer tissues. Computerized quantitative analysis showed that the numbers of dendritic cells were significantly higher in cancer tissues. Double immunostaining with CD83, CD20, and CD3, and electron microscopy demonstrated that dendritic cells are present in Barrett's esophagus and form clusters with T cells and B cells directly within the lamina propria.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that dendritic cells are present in Barrett's tissues, with a significant increase in density in adenocarcinoma compared to benign Barrett's esophagus. Dendritic cells may have a role in the pathogenesis and immunotherapy treatment of Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma.
Bobryshev
Yuri V
YV
Department of Surgery and Centre for Immunology, St Vincent's Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Tran
Dinh
D
Killingsworth
Murray C
MC
Buckland
Michael
M
Lord
Reginald V N
RV
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001706:Biopsy; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011379:Prognosis; D000097802:CD83 Antigen
D015703:Antigens, CD; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D000097802:CD83 Antigen