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Ergun P, Kipcak S, Gunel NS, Bor S, Sozmen EY. Roles of Cytokines in Pathological and Physiological Gastroesophageal Reflux Exposure. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024; 30:290-302. [PMID: 37957115 PMCID: PMC11238103 DOI: 10.5056/jnm22186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Gastroesophageal reflux disease is frequently observed and has no definitive treatment. There are 2 main views on the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The first is that epithelial damage starts from the mucosa by acidic-peptic damage and the inflammatory response of granulocytes. The other view is that T-lymphocytes attract chemoattractants from the basal layer to the mucosa, and granulocytes do not migrate until damage occurs. We aim to investigate the inflammatory processes occurring in the esophageal epithelium of the phenotypes at the molecular level. We also examined the effects of these changes on tissue integrity. Methods Patients with mild and severe erosive reflux, nonerosive reflux, reflux hypersensitivity, and functional heartburn were included. Inflammatory gene expressions (JAK/STAT Signaling and NFKappaB Primer Libraries), chemokine protein levels, and tissue integrity were examined in the esophageal biopsies. Results There was chronic inflammation in the severe erosion group, the acute response was also triggered. In the mild erosion group, these 2 processes worked together, but homeostatic cytokines were also secreted. In nonerosive groups, T-lymphocytes were more dominant. In addition, the inflammatory response was highly triggered in the reflux hypersensitivity and functional heartburn groups, and it was associated with physiological reflux exposure and sensitivity. Conclusions "Microinflammation" in physiological acid exposure groups indicates that even a mild trigger is sufficient for the initiation and progression of inflammatory activity. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory cytokines were highly increased. The results may have a potential role in the treatment of heartburn symptoms and healing of the mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pelin Ergun
- Departments of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
- Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Ege Reflux Study Group, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sezgi Kipcak
- Departments of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
- Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Ege Reflux Study Group, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nur S Gunel
- Departments of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Serhat Bor
- Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Ege Reflux Study Group, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Eser Y Sozmen
- Departments of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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Vanoli A, Parente P, Fassan M, Mastracci L, Grillo F. Gut inflammation and tumorigenesis: every site has a different tale to tell. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:2169-2179. [PMID: 37249755 PMCID: PMC10635962 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03320-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Gut inflammation has been correlated with cancerogenesis by disrupting gastrointestinal homeostasis. Numerous chronic inflammatory disorders of the tubular gastrointestinal tract (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux disease, Helicobacter pylori-induced and autoimmune chronic gastritis, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel diseases) have been variably associated with an increased neoplastic risk. Gastrointestinal inflammation-induced neoplasms include epithelial tumors (esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors, small bowel adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors, and colorectal cancer) and lymphomas (such as gastric marginal zone lymphomas and enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma). In the last decades, numerous studies have investigated the pathogenetic mechanisms and the microenvironmental/microbiome changes that trigger genetic and/or epigenetic alterations eventually leading to tumorigenesis, often through a histologically recognizable inflammation-dysplasia-carcinoma cancerogenic sequence. In the present review, an overview of the current knowledge on the links between inflammatory diseases and neoplasms of the tubular GI tract, applying a site-by-site approach, is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Vanoli
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Via Carlo Forlanini 16, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Paola Parente
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Mastracci
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
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3
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Mastracci L, Grillo F, Parente P, Unti E, Battista S, Spaggiari P, Campora M, Scaglione G, Fassan M, Fiocca R. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus: an overview with an histologic diagnostic approach. Pathologica 2021; 112:117-127. [PMID: 33179616 PMCID: PMC7931578 DOI: 10.32074/1591-951x-162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The first part of this overview on non-neoplastic esophagus is focused on gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett’s esophagus. In the last 20 years much has changed in histological approach to biopsies of patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease. In particular, elementary histologic lesions have been well defined and modality of evaluation and grade are detailed, their sensitivity and specificity has been evaluated and their use has been validated by several authors. Also if there is not a clinical indication to perform biopsies in patient with GERD, the diagnosis of microscopic esophagitis, when biopsies are provided, can be performed by following simple rules for evaluation which allow pathologists to make the diagnosis with confidence. On the other hand, biopsies are required for the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus. This diagnosis is the synthesis of endoscopic picture (which has to be provided with the proper description on extent and with adequate biopsies number) and histologic pattern. The current guidelines and expert opinions for the correct management of these diagnosis are detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mastracci
- Anatomic Pathology, San Martino IRCCS Hospital, Genova, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Grillo
- Anatomic Pathology, San Martino IRCCS Hospital, Genova, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Parente
- Unit of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, (FG), Italy
| | - Elettra Unti
- UOC Anatomia Patologica, ARNAS Ospedali Civico-Di Cristina-Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Serena Battista
- SOC di Anatomia Patologica, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy
| | - Paola Spaggiari
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Campora
- Anatomic Pathology, San Martino IRCCS Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Fassan
- Surgical Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Italy
| | - Roberto Fiocca
- Anatomic Pathology, San Martino IRCCS Hospital, Genova, Italy.,Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genova, Italy
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Neutrophils, eosinophils, and intraepithelial lymphocytes in the squamous esophagus in subjects with and without gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Hum Pathol 2021; 115:112-122. [PMID: 34181982 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Whilst intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are considered normal within the distal esophageal mucosa, they have an increasingly recognised role in the pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis, and IEL quantification establishes the diagnosis of lymphocytic esophagitis. Knowledge regarding the upper limit of a normal IEL count in health is lacking. We studied 117 non-healthcare seeking adult volunteers from a random community sample (the Kalixanda study) with esophageal biopsies 2 cm above the gastroesophageal junction. Subjects were divided into four groups based on the presence or absence of gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms and/or esophagitis on endoscopy. Asymptomatic subjects with no endoscopic esophagitis were selected as controls, and the cell counts in this group were used to define the upper limit of normal of IELs, eosinophils and neutrophils. The entire sample was used to identify independent predictors of increased cellular counts by logistic regression analysis. None of the healthy controls had an IEL count of more than three per five high power fields (HPF), and therefore this was considered as the upper limit of normal; no controls had eosinophils or neutrophils in esophageal biopsies. Independent predictors of an elevated IEL count were spongiosis on histology (OR 11.17, 95% CI 3.32-37.58, P < 0.01) and current smoking (OR 4.84, 95% CI 1.13-2.71, P = 0.03). A receiver operating characteristics analysis concluded that a threshold of 3 IELs/5HPFs performs best in predicting reflux symptoms when a normal esophageal mucosa is visualized on endoscopy (sensitivity = 100.0%, specificity = 35.2%). The healthy esophageal mucosa does not contain more than three IELs per five HPF in the distal esophagus.
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Lee BE, Kim GH, Shin N, Park DY, Song GA. Histopathological Analysis of Esophageal Mucosa in Patients with Achalasia. Gut Liver 2020; 15:713-722. [PMID: 33361546 PMCID: PMC8444113 DOI: 10.5009/gnl20195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Achalasia is an esophageal motor disorder that leads to functional esophageal obstruction. Food stasis and bacterial fermentation can predispose an individual to esophageal mucosal inflammation, causing multifocal dysplasia and increasing the risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. We aimed to evaluate esophageal mucosal alterations in achalasia patients and determine clinical factors associated with the histopathological findings. Methods From 2009 to 2013, we obtained endoscopic biopsies from the lower and middle esophagus of 22 patients with achalasia and 17 controls. Patients’ clinical data and histological severity of esophagitis were retrospectively analyzed. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining for CD3, CD20, Ki-67, and p53 was conducted. Results The median age of achalasia patients was 49.5 years (range, 27 to 82 years), and there were nine males (40.9%). The median symptom duration was 5.8 years (range, 1 to 33.5 years), and 10 patients (45%) underwent previous treatment (nine, balloon dilation; one, botulinum toxin injection). Achalasia patients had significantly more severe esophagitis than did controls (p=0.001, lower esophagus; p=0.008, middle esophagus), and the number of CD3-positive lymphocytes exceeded that of CD20-positive lymphocytes (p<0.001). Achalasia patients also had a higher esophageal Ki-67 proliferation index (p=0.048). Although statistically nonsignificant, p53 expression was only observed in achalasia patients. There was no association between the histological severity of esophagitis and other clinicopathological findings. Conclusions Achalasia patients showed significantly severe histological esophagitis and a high Ki-67 proliferation index, indicating an increased risk of neoplastic progression. Therefore, careful endoscopic inspection is necessary for the early detection of superficial neoplasia in these patients. (Gut Liver 2021;15-722)
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Affiliation(s)
- Bong Eun Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Gwang Ha Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Nari Shin
- Department of Pathology, Hanmaeum Changwon Hospital, Changwon, Korea
| | | | - Geun Am Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
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Mastracci L, Fiocca R, Engström C, Attwood S, Ell C, Galmiche JP, Hatlebakk JG, Långström G, Eklund S, Lind T, Lundell L. The dynamics of the oesophageal squamous epithelium 'normalisation' process in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease treated with long-term acid suppression or anti-reflux surgery. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 45:1339-1349. [PMID: 28326569 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proton pump inhibitors and laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery (LARS) offer long-term symptom control to patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). AIM To evaluate the process of 'normalisation' of the squamous epithelium morphology of the distal oesophagus on these therapies. METHODS In the LOTUS trial, 554 patients with chronic GERD were randomised to receive either esomeprazole (20-40 mg daily) or LARS. After 5 years, 372 patients remained in the study (esomeprazole, 192; LARS, 180). Biopsies were taken at the Z-line and 2 cm above, at baseline, 1, 3 and 5 years. A severity score was calculated based on: papillae elongation, basal cell hyperplasia, intercellular space dilatations and eosinophilic infiltration. The epithelial proliferative activity was assessed by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS A gradual improvement in all variables over 5 years was noted in both groups, at both the Z-line and 2 cm above. The severity score decreased from baseline at each subsequent time point in both groups (P < 0.001, all comparisons), attaining a normal level by 5 years. Corresponding decreases in Ki-67 expression were observed (P < 0.001, all comparisons). No significant differences were found between esomeprazole treatment and LARS. Neither baseline severity score nor Ki-67 expression predicted the risk of treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS Five years of treatment is generally required before squamous epithelial cell morphology and proliferation are 'normalised' in patients with chronic GERD, despite endoscopic and symptomatic disease control. Control of the acid component of the refluxate seems to play the predominant role in restoring tissue morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mastracci
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Genova and IRCCS S.Martino/IST University Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - R Fiocca
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Genova and IRCCS S.Martino/IST University Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - C Engström
- Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - S Attwood
- Department of Surgery, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, UK
| | - C Ell
- Department of Gastroenterology, Dr Horst Schmidt-Hospital, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - J P Galmiche
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nantes University and INSERM, Nantes, France
| | - J G Hatlebakk
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - S Eklund
- AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - T Lind
- Formerly of AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - L Lundell
- Department of Surgery, Centre for Digestive Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital and CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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7
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Optimal acid suppressive treatment for adequate symptom relief and prevention of the complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease: differences in long-term clinical course and pathophysiology among disease subtypes. Esophagus 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10388-016-0558-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
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Savarino E, Girardin G, Della Coletta M, Ottonello A, Savarino V. Letter: proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia - more than just gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Authors' reply. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016; 44:912-3. [PMID: 27634239 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E Savarino
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - G Girardin
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - M Della Coletta
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - A Ottonello
- Department of Surgical and Diagnostic Integrated Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - V Savarino
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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