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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
Published on: July 20, 2014
The frequency of glassy cells in Barrett's mucosa: a study in Baboons
Carlos A Rubio1, Edward J Dick, Abiel Orrego
1Southwest Foundation Primate Research Center, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX 78245-0549, USA. Carlos.Rubio@ki.se
Background:
Glands with glassy cells (GGCs) were recently found in 1.8% of patients showing Barrett's mucosa in esophageal biopsies. Similar GGCs were more recently detected in a baboon having glandulo-metaplastic esophageal mucosa (GMEM). The aim was to assess the frequency of baboons with GMEM having GGCs.
Materials And Methods:
GGCs were sought in 68 consecutive baboons having GMEM. Sections were stained with H&E, and with alcian blue (pH 2.5) to detect sialomucins in goblet cells (a marker of Barrett's mucosa in GMEM).
Results:
Two out of the 68 baboons with Barrett's mucosa (2.9%) showed GGCs.
Conclusion:
In similarity to humans, the Barrett's mucosa in baboons may show GGCs. Although the significance of GGCs in baboons (and in humans) remains poorly understood, their presence might not be a fortuitous event but may be linked to the molecular events leading to the development of intestinal metaplasia in Barrett's mucosa, a known pre-neoplastic mucosal change in the distal esophagus in humans.
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