The Role of SOX2 in Barrett's Esophagus Development and Progression to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Abstract
Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a precancerous condition defined as replacement of the normal esophageal squamous epithelium with metaplastic columnar intestinal epithelium caused by chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. Importantly, Barrett's esophagus confers the strongest predisposition to developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. I hypothesize that the dorsal foregut transcription factor, SOX2, functions to maintain foregut squamous epithelial identity, and its loss is a critical step during Barrett's esophagus development and the progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. I am investigating the molecular effects of SOX2 expression changes on Barrett's esophagus through a series of complementary experiments involving a novel foregut-specific inducible Sox2 knockout mouse model and a wholly novel biobank of human Barrett's esophagus derived organoids. Together, these experiments will elucidate novel molecular pathways involved in BE maintenance and may reveal novel therapeutic avenues to treat BE and prevent esophageal cancer. During the past year, I have been productive by successfully relocating my lab to Baylor College of Medicine, publishing 3 papers, presenting a lecture at the international premier gastroenterology conference, Digestive Disease Week 2022, and continuing to share my work through talks at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Endoderm Club, BETR Net Annual Steering Committee Meeting, Michael E. DeBakey VAMC/CTRID Research Seminar Series and the Texas Medical Center Digestive diseases Center Annual Frontiers in Digestive Diseases Symposium.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1190698
Entities
People
- Ramon U. Jin
Organizations
- Baylor College of Medicine