HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Li, Y. Articles by Kang, Y. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Li, Y. Articles by Kang, Y. J.

---

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Association of Metallothionein Expression and Lack of Apoptosis with Progression of Carcinogenesis in Barrett’s Esophagus

Yan Li^*, John M. Wo^*, Lu Cai^*, Zhanxiang Zhou^*, David Rosenbaum^*, Christian Mendez^*, Mukunda B. Ray, Whitney F. Jones and Y. James Kang^*,,1

^* Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology of the Department of Medicine, and
Department of Pathology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202; and
Jewish Hospital Foundation, Louisville, Kentucky 40202

Barrett’s esophagus is the transformation of normal esophageal squamous epithelium to specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM). Among the Barrett’s specialized cells, those that can develop protective mechanisms against apoptosis may have potential to become malignant. Studies have shown that overexpression of metallothionein (MT), low molecular protein that protects cells from apoptotic stimuli, appears to be associated with more advanced, highly malignant tumors. We thus investigated the relationship between MT expression and apoptosis in different stages of Barrett’s carcinogenesis. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling and immunohistochemical dual-staining assay were performed in human biopsy samples of normal, SIM, dysplasia, and adenocarcinoma. Apoptotic index and MT expression were quantified by using an image system to analyze the converted digital data. A negative correlation between MT expression and apoptotic index was found. MT expression was significantly increased along with the histologic progression towards adenocarcinoma. This study thus suggests that MT may contribute to cytoprotection, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and leading to carcinogenesis of Barrett’s esophageal cells.

Key Words: Barrett’s esophagus • apoptosis • metallothionein • carcinogenesis

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y. Li, J. M. Wo, R. R. Su, M. B. Ray, and R. C. G. Martin Alterations in Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Expression in the Progression From Reflux Esophagitis to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Ann. Surg. Oncol., July 1, 2007; 14(7): 2045 - 2055. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Hermann, Y. Li, M. B. Ray, J. M. Wo, and R. C. G. Martin II Association of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Expression With Progression of Carcinogenesis in Barrett Esophagus Arch Surg, December 1, 2005; 140(12): 1204 - 1209. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]