Expression of VEGF, EGF, and Their Receptors in Squamous Esophageal Mucosa, with Correlations to Histological Findings and Endoscopic Minimal Changes, in Patients with Different GERD Phenotypes

Justyna Wasielica-Berger, Paweł Rogalski, Agnieszka Świdnicka-Siergiejko, Anna Pryczynicz, Joanna Kiśluk, Jarosław Daniluk, Stefania Antonowicz, Dominik Maślach, Michalina Krzyżak and Andrzej Dąbrowski
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Justyna Wasielica-Berger: Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
Paweł Rogalski: Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
Agnieszka Świdnicka-Siergiejko: Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
Anna Pryczynicz: Department of General Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
Joanna Kiśluk: Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
Jarosław Daniluk: Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
Stefania Antonowicz: Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
Dominik Maślach: Department of Public Health, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-295 Bialystok, Poland
Michalina Krzyżak: Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Ergonomics, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-022 Bialystok, Poland
Andrzej Dąbrowski: Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may present as nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), erosive esophagitis (EE), or be complicated by Barrett’s esophagus (BE). The explanation as to what determines the phenotype of GERD is awaited. Therefore, we assessed the correlation between the growth factors expression and endoscopic as histologic findings in GERD patients. Methods: The squamous esophageal epithelium of 50 patients (20-NERD, 7-EE, 15-BE, 8 controls) was examined by: (1) magnification endoscopy with evaluation of minimal GERD changes such as: microerosions, white spots, palisade blood vessels visibility, and intrapapillary capillary loops (IPCLs) appearance, (2) histology, (3) immunohistochemistry with evaluation of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and their receptors (VEGFR and EGFR). Results: The expression of VEGF, but not VEGFR, EGF, and EGFR, was significantly increased in EE patients compared to NERD patients and controls. VEGF levels correlated significantly with the presence of white spots, but not with other minimal endoscopic and histologic features. The EGFR expression correlated positively with basal cell hyperplasia and enlarged IPCLs. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a correlation between growth factors expression and findings in conventional endoscopy, formation of endoscopic minimal changes, and histologic lesions.

Keywords: VEGF; EGF; growth factors; GERD; minimal change esophagitis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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