Fig. 1.

Adult and neonate murine esophagus lamina propria contains spindle-shaped cells of interest. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed on longitudinal sections of adult (A) and neonate (B) murine esophagus. Representative sections (×200 magnification) demonstrate keratinized stratified squamous epithelium (Sq epi) overlying a heterogeneous cellular lamina propria (Lp). The lamina propria is adjacent to a discontinuous muscularis mucosa (Mm). Spindle-shaped cells of interest (white arrows) distinct from the muscularis mucosa are present in the lamina propria. The submucosa and muscularis propria are labeled for orientation.