HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Identification of intestinal-type Barrett's metaplasia by using the intestine-specific protein villin and esophageal brush cytology.

Abstract
Villin is an actin-binding cytoskeletal protein required for brush-border formation in the normal small intestinal and renal proximal tubule epithelium. Villin is a marker of cell differentiation in small intestinal and renal cell lineages, and recent studies have shown villin to be highly expressed in 100% of intestinal-type Barrett's metaplasias. This epithelium is the single greatest risk factor for developing esophageal adenocarcinoma and arises when the normal esophageal squamous epithelium is replaced by a small intestine-like columnar epithelium after damage by chronic gastroesophageal reflux. In intestinal-type Barrett's metaplasia, the villin protein exhibits a highly characteristic staining pattern in which strong apical, brush-border staining of columnar epithelial cells is observed. In this study, the ability to identify intestinal metaplastic cells by using this distinct villin staining pattern was examined in endoscopic esophageal brushings from patients with confirmed Barrett's metaplasia. Esophageal brushings from 81% (17 of 21) of patients with Barrett's metaplasia demonstrated individual columnar cells with the characteristic villin staining pattern, whereas all normal esophageal squamous cells, blood cells, and gastric columnar cells were negative for villin expression. Northern blot analysis demonstrated villin mRNA expression in Barrett's metaplasia but not in the normal squamous esophagus or gastric mucosa from the same patients. The combined use of villin immunohistochemical analysis and esophageal brush cytology may provide a simple and effective method of detecting intestinal-type Barrett's metaplasia in patients at higher risk for developing this epithelium, such as those experiencing chronic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.
AuthorsA J MacLennan, M B Orringer, D G Beer
JournalMolecular carcinogenesis (Mol Carcinog) Vol. 24 Issue 2 Pg. 137-43 (Feb 1999) ISSN: 0899-1987 [Print] United States
PMID10078941 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Biomarkers
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • villin
Topics
  • Barrett Esophagus (diagnosis, metabolism)
  • Biomarkers
  • Carrier Proteins (analysis, biosynthesis)
  • Esophagus (pathology)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intestinal Mucosa (metabolism)
  • Intestines (pathology)
  • Male
  • Microfilament Proteins (analysis, biosynthesis)
  • Middle Aged

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: