title: Intramucosal distribution of WNT signaling components in human esophagus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The molecular mechanisms governing the biology and pathobiology of esophageal squamous mucosa in health and disease are not completely understood. Earlier genome-wide expression study of normal-looking esophageal squamous mucosa has shown differential expression of the Wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt) modulators Dickkopf (Dkk) homologs among healthy individuals and patients with reflux esophagitis and Barrett metaplasia suggesting that the Wnt pathway may be involved in esophageal mucosal biology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven full-thickness human donor esophagi were cryosectioned for immunohistochemical analysis, and lamina propria (LP), basal (BC), intermediate (IC), and superficial (SC) cells were also dissected by laser-capture microdissection for real-time polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wnt1, 2b, and 3a were expressed primarily in BC, Wnt3, and 5b in LP, and Wnt5a in IC. Frizzled 1, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6, secreted frizzled-related protein 1, T-cell-specific transcription factor 3, and dishevelled 3 were expressed highest in LP decreasing precipitously medially toward SC. Dkk1 predominantly expressed in SC was more than 100-folds greater than other layers (P<0.001). Dkk4 was expressed primarily in SC but Dkk3 was opposite with greatest expression in LP. Immunohistochemical analysis showed Wnt1 and 3a in BC, Wnt5a in IC and SC, Dkk1 predominantly in SC, Dkk4 in SC and IC, and Dkk3 and SFRP1 in LP and BC
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, MCW Dysphagia Institute, Digestive Disease Center, Medical Collegeof Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Irshad
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Parvaneh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rafiee
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Banani
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haasler
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shaker
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D018925:Chemokines; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051157:Frizzled Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007834:Lasers; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D042282:Microdissection; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000094742:Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D018925:Chemokines; D051157:Frizzled Receptors; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins; C498624:DKK3 protein, human; C117636:SFRP1 protein, human; D000094742:Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins