Effect Of Selective And Non-Selective Cyclooxygenase (Cox)-1 And Cox-2 Inhibitors And Nitric Oxide Releasing Aspirin (No-Asa) On The Chronic Esophagitis In The Rat Model Of Barrett'S Esophagus

was investigated by immunocytochemical labelling of dephospho-beta catenin, NFkB, phospho-ERK.Proliferation status of cultured Barrett's crypts was assessed by BrDU/Ki67 labelling and digital video time-lapse microscopy.RESULTS: The isolation procedure liberated Barrett's crypts that resembled single and branched glandular structures.Both types of structure loaded with calcein-AM at any stage during a number of days in culture.Cultured Barrett's crypts excluded prodium iodide when added to the culture media.Immunolabelling of nuclear beta catenin, NFkB and phospho-ERK labelling was present throughout Barrett's crypt structures and was particular prominent at the crypt-base.Similarly, nuclear BrdU incorporation and Ki67 labelling predominated in this compartment.Real-time mitotic events were monitored by digital time-lapse video microscopy.CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a novel 3D ex vivo culture model of native human Barrett's oesophagus that is amenable to real-time imaging.Future experiments will interrogate the role of Wnt/beta catenin, MAPK and NFkB signalling pathways in the maintenance and propagation of the Barrett's phenotype.