HIF-1α protein expression is associated with the environmental inflammatory reaction in Barrett's metaplasia

Abstract

The oxygen-regulated transcription factor subunit hypoxia inducible factor-1a (HIF-1α) is involved in angiogenesis, energy metabolism, cell survival, and inflammation. We examined the protein expression of HIF-1α within the progression of Barrett's sequence as well as the type and degree of the environmental inflammatory reaction. Squamous epithelium (SE), metaplastic, low- and high-grade dysplastic lesions, and tumor tissue of 57 resection specimens from patients with Barrett's adenocarcinoma were immunohistochemically analyzed. Active and chronic inflammatory reactions were classified according to the Updated Sydney System. HIF-1α protein expression increased significantly from SE to Barrett's metaplasia (BM) (P < 0.0001). From metaplasia through low- and high-grade dysplasia to cancer, no further increase could be detected. Active and chronic inflammation were also significantly different between SE and BM (P < 0.0001) but not during further progression in the sequence. HIF-1α protein expression did not correlate with histopathologic parameters or survival. HIF-1α protein expression pattern resembles the active and chronic environmental inflammatory reaction. All were significantly increased in metaplasia compared to SE without further change in tumor development. HIF-1α protein expression appears to be associated with inflammatory processes in the development of BM. © 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus.