Stromal cells participate in the murine esophageal mucosal injury response.
We identified α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)- and vimentin-expressing spindle-shaped esophageal mesenchymal cells in the adult and neonate murine esophageal lamina propria. We hypothesized that these esophageal mesenchymal cells express and secrete signaling and inflammatory mediators in response to injury. We established primary cultures of esophageal mesenchymal cells using mechanical and enzymatic digestion. We demonstrate that these primary cultures are nonhematopoietic, nonendothelial, stromal cells with myofibroblast-like features. These cells increase secretion of IL-6 in response to treatment with acidified media and IL-1β. They also increase bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp)-4 secretion in response to sonic hedgehog. The location of these cells and their biological functions demonstrate their potential role in regulating esophageal epithelial responses to injury and repair.
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. ashaker@usc.edu
Anisa
A
Shaker
Jana
J
Binkley
Isra
I
Darwech
Elzbieta
E
Swietlicki
Keely
K
McDonald
Rodney
R
Newberry
Deborah C
DC
Rubin
D000818:Animals; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004947:Esophagus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*
D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6