Aberrant expression of Wnt and Notch signal pathways in Barrett's esophagus.
BACKGROUND
Specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) mucosa observed in Barrett's esophagus (BE) has been a hot research topic due to the close relationship with adenocarcinoma of esophagus (ACE). Earlier studies found that SIM mucosa was similar to normal intestinal epithelium on morphology and histology. The signal pathway involved in conformation of intestinal epithelium may be a critical initiator for BE.


METHODS
The expressions of key regulators (Tcf4, Cdx2, Hes1 and Math1) in Wnt and Notch signal pathways were measured in 41 paired esophageal biopsies. Cell morphological changes in normal esophagus were compared among groups treated by acid, bile acid and the mixture of both media.


RESULTS
The expression levels of regulators (Tcf4, Cdx2, Hes1 and Math1) were found significantly increased in SIM, C ≥ 3Mn and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) groups. Distinct ultrastructure changes and highly expressed key regulators were also detected at the seventh day for group treated by 400 μmol bile acid.


CONCLUSIONS
Aberrant expressed regulators in Wnt and Notch pathways were observed in BE tissue and normal esophageal cells treated by acid, bile acid and the mixture of both media. This study provided preliminary data to understand the mechanism of BE conformation.
Institute of Digestive Endoscopy and Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 121, Jing Jiayuan, Nanjing 210011, China.
Xia
X
Chen
Ke
K
Jiang
Zhining
Z
Fan
Zheng
Z
Liu
Ping
P
Zhang
Liduan
L
Zheng
Na
N
Peng
Jingjing
J
Tong
Guozhong
G
Ji
D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway
D051880:Receptors, Notch; D051153:Wnt Proteins