title: Molecular pathogenesis of Barrett esophagus: current evidence.
abstract: This article focuses on recent findings on the molecular mechanisms involved in esophageal columnar metaplasia. Signaling pathways and their downstream targets activate specific transcription factors leading to the expression of columnar and the more specific intestinal-type of genes, which gives rise to Barrett metaplasia. Several animal models have been generated to validate and study these distinct molecular pathways but also to identify the Barrett progenitor cell. Currently, the many aspects involved in the development of esophageal metaplasia that have been elucidated can serve to develop novel molecular therapies to improve treatment or prevent metaplasia. Nevertheless, several key events are still poorly understood and require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands. Electronic address: k.k.krishnadath@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Kausilia K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Krishnadath
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinics, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway
chemical_list: C525809:BMP4 protein, human; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; C491270:CDX2 protein, human; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch; C509239:SHH protein, human; D051785:Smad Proteins
keywords: BMP4; CDX2; Lineage tracing; Notch; SSH; WNT; p63; pSMAD