TGR5 expression in benign, preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of Barrett’s esophagus: Case series and findings

AIM To examined the bile acid receptor TGR5 expression in squamous mucosa, Barrett’s mucosa, dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma(EA). METHODS Slides were stained with TGR5 antibody. The staining intensity was scored as 1+, 2+ and 3+. The extent of staining(percentage of cells staining) was scored as follows: 1+, 1%-10%, 2+, 11%-50%, 3+, 51%-100%. A combined score of intensity and extent was calculated and categorized as negative, weak, moderate and strong staining. TGR5 m RNA was measured by real time PCR.RESULTS We found that levels of TGR5 mR NA were significantly increased in Barrett’s dysplastic cell line CP-D and EA cell line SK-GT-4, when compared with Barrett’s cell line CP-A. Moderate to strong TGR5 staining was significantly higher in high-grade dysplasia and EA cases than in Barrett’s esophagus(BE) or in low-grade dysplasia. Moderate to strong staining was slightly higher in low-grade dysplasia than in BE mucosa, but there is no statistical significance. TGR5 staining had no significant difference between high-grade dysplasia and EA. In addition, TGR5 staining intensity was not associated with the clinical stage, the pathological stage and the status of lymph node metastasis.CONCLUSION We conclude that TGR5 immunostaining was much stronger in high-grade dysplasia and EA than in BE mucosa or low-grade dysplasia and that its staining intensity was not associated with the clinical stage, the pathological stage and the status of lymph node metastasis. TGR5 might be a potential marker for the progression from BE to high-grade dysplasia and EA.