Barrett’s metaplasia develops from cellular reprograming of esophageal squamous epithelium due to gastroesophageal reflux

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

This study provides evidence of the origins of Barrett's metaplasia from lineage transcommitment of resident esophageal cells after chronic exposure to gastroesophageal refluxate. The preterminal progenitor-like squamous cells alter their differentiation and develop biphenotypic characteristics, expressing markers of incomplete-type columnar metaplasia. Development of these biphenotypic precursors in vitro is a unique model to study pathogenesis of Barrett's metaplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma.