Abstract
Chemokines, especially CXC family, play a key role in neutrophil-mediated esophageal inflammatory disease by attracting neutrophils to the site of inflammation. Recent in vitro and in vivo reports suggest that esophageal squamous epithelial cells can produce these chemokines by the stimulation with gastric acid, bile acids, and pancreatic protease. Transcriptome analysis has confirmed the signaling pathway and several transcriptional factors associated with esophageal inflammation. Detailed studies of the interaction between esophageal epithelium and gastric/duodenal refluxates should make it possible to identify a key therapeutic target molecule that regulates esophageal inflammation.
