Squamous Esophageal Tissue and Barrett Metaplasia Share a Common Progenitor

Findings shed light on the process of cellular transformation to Barrett esophagus.

Barrett esophagus (BE) is well recognized as a change in the normal squamous esophageal epithelium to a columnar metaplasia. Although its development is typically associated with gastroesophageal reflux–related injury, the pathway by which this cellular transformation occurs is unknown but suspected to occur through a pluripotent stem cell.

To investigate this possibility, researchers evaluated dysplastic and metaplastic esophageal tissue from patients who underwent surgical or endoscopic mucosal resection of esophageal adenocarcinoma or dysplasia. Mitochondrial DNA mutations were identified by immunohistochemistry staining to evaluate the stem cell organization and lineage of the normal squamous tissue as well as the Barrett metaplasia.

The …

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors