Fig. 9.

Esophageal stromal cells increase inflammatory marker mRNA expression in response to acid. Primary cultures of esophageal stromal cells were established from C57BL/6 mice, and mRNA expression of inflammatory markers (KC, a murine homolog of IL-8) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) in response to treatment with media acidified to pH 4 was evaluated. Cells were treated with media acidified to pH 4 for 30 or 60 min, and mRNA expression of KC and Cox-2 was evaluated after 3, 6, and 24 h. A: esophageal stromal cells treated for 30 min have a 2-fold increase in KC mRNA at 24 h. Cells treated for 60 min have a 7-fold increase in KC mRNA expression at 3 h, a 5-fold increase at 6 h, and a 2-fold at 24 h. B: esophageal stromal cells treated for 30 min have an 4-fold increase in Cox-2 mRNA at 3 h. Cells treated for 60 min have an 11-fold increase in Cox-2 mRNA at 3 h and a 6-fold increase at 6 h. *P < 0.05 vs. control.