Acid Reflux and Stromal Fibroblasts in Barrett's Esophagus

Patients with Barrett's Esophagus are known to have excessive distal esophageal acid exposure comparable to patients with erosive esophagitis. A significant proportion of patients with BE who are not symptomatic on treatment continue to have persistent acid reflux. High dose esomeprazole is able to control acid reflux in patients with BE. The effect of acid reflux on Barrett's esophagus stroma is currently unknown. It is our hypothesis that stromal fibroblast activation in Barrett's esophagus is influenced by acid reflux. The specific aim of this proposal will be: To assess the association between acid reflux and subepithelial fibroblasts in Barrett's esophagus.