Fig. 8.

Location of SOX9 expression was assessed in RFA-injured tissue. A–C: In uninjured esophagus, SOX9 was rare in the squamous epithelium (B) but present in the ESMGs and associated ducts (C). D–F: 5 days postablation (n = 3), nuclear positive SOX9 increased in both the squamous epithelium (E) and ESMGs, particularly where the ductal phenotype was noted (F). G–I: 7 days postablation (n = 6), SOX9-positive cells increased in the squamous epithelium (H), and increased in the ESMGs, again where the ductal phenotype was noted (I). J: compared with uninjured controls, in the activated acinar ductal phenotype within ESMGs, SOX9 increased from 12.82 ± 2.11% to 65.42 ± 11.33% 5 days postablation. SOX9-positive ductal acini significantly (*P < 0.05) increased to 81.37 ± 3.62% in ESMGs 7 days postablation, compared with uninjured controls. Scale bar = 200 µm (black) and 40 µm (white). Percentages reported as mean ± SE.