Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Stratified Epithelium

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Stratified Epithelium

Stratified epithelium consists of several stacked layers of cells. They provide the durability to withstand constant physical and chemical attacks. Stratified epithelium is named after the shape of the most apical layer of cells. Stratified squamous epithelium is the most common type found in the human body. In this tissue, the apical cells are squamous, whereas the basal layer contains either columnar or cuboidal cells. The basal cells divide to form new daughter cells, which gradually become...

Desmosomes

Desmosomes

The term desmosome derives from the Greek words "desmo" and "soma" meaning "adhesion bodies." This structure was first observed during the late 1800s and described as small, dense nodules in the epidermis. Desmosomes are button-like structures that help form an interlinked network of intermediate filaments across the cells. These junctions are essential to hold cells together under mechanical stress and to maintain tissue integrity. Desmosomes are multi-protein complexes comprising desmosomal...

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Simple Epithelium

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Simple Epithelium

Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of cells that lines body cavities and blood vessels. The shape of the cells in the epithelium reflects the function of the tissue. Cells in simple squamous epithelium appear as thin scales with flat, elliptical nuclei that mirror the form of the cell.
Because of the thinness of the cells, simple squamous epithelium is present where the rapid passage of chemical compounds is observed. For example, the endothelium that lines the capillaries and vessels...

Barrett Esophagus-I: Introduction

Barrett Esophagus-I: Introduction

Barrett's esophagus is a medical condition where the esophageal mucosa is significantly damaged by stomach acid or other digestive fluids, often due to long-term exposure associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In GERD, a weakened or abnormally relaxed lower esophageal sphincter allows stomach acid to flow persistently into the esophagus.
This constant acid exposure transforms the esophagus's pink mucosal lining (stratified squamous epithelium) into a type of lining more similar...

Epithelial Tissues and Their Functions

Epithelial Tissues and Their Functions

Epithelial tissues are large sheets of cells covering all of the surfaces of the body. These surfaces can be internal or external, for example, skin, airways, the digestive tract, the urinary system, and the reproductive system. Hollow organs and body cavities that do not connect to the body's exterior, including blood vessels and serous membranes, are lined by epithelial tissue known as the endothelium.
Epithelial tissues provide the body's first line of protection from physical, chemical, and...

Surface Membrane Barriers

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Review Article: Advances in the Diagnosis of Dysplasia in Barrett's Oesophagus.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2026

Same author

Treatment of recurrent esophageal strictures with a paclitaxel-coated balloon dilator: initial United States experience.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy·2026

Same author

A Machine-Based Learning Model for Recurrence Prediction and Timing After Endoscopic Eradication Therapy for Barrett's Esophagus.

Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association·2026

Same author

Prospective cohort study of palliative treatment of esophageal cancer with liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy·2026

Same author

The Utility of Mucin 2 and Caudal-Type Homeobox Transcription Factor 2 Expression in the Diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus: A Community-Based Study of Wide-Area Transepithelial Sampling and Forceps Biopsies.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2026

Same author

Prospective Identification of Dysplasia in Barrett's Esophagus With Combined Optical Coherence Tomography and Light Scattering Measurements.

Journal of biophotonics·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

Defective barrier function in neosquamous epithelium.

Biljana Jovov¹, Nicholas J Shaheen, Geraldine S Orlando

¹Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7032, USA. bjovov@med.unc.edu

The American Journal of Gastroenterology

|January 16, 2013

Summary

Neosquamous epithelium (NSE) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for Barrett's esophagus has a defective barrier function, making it vulnerable to reflux injury and potentially explaining Barrett's esophagus recurrence after ablation.

More Related Videos

Anterior High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia

Anterior High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia

Published on: August 9, 2024

Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea

Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea

Published on: December 8, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

Anterior High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia

Anterior High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography in the Diagnosis and Therapeutic Monitoring of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia

Published on: August 9, 2024

Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea

Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea

Published on: December 8, 2023

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Oncology
Epithelial Biology

Background:

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is used to treat Barrett's esophagus (BE), aiming to prevent esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC).
Following RFA, a new squamous lining, termed neosquamous epithelium (NSE), forms.
The protective capacity of NSE against ongoing reflux is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the barrier function of NSE with native upper squamous epithelium (USE).
To investigate the histological and molecular characteristics of NSE barrier function.

Main Methods:

Endoscopic biopsies from RFA-treated subjects were analyzed.
Barrier function was assessed using electrical resistance and fluorescein flux in mini-Ussing chambers.
Claudin expression in tight junctions was quantified using qPCR and immunoblots.

Main Results:

NSE exhibited histological abnormalities, including dilated intercellular spaces and eosinophilia.
NSE demonstrated significantly higher permeability (lower electrical resistance, higher fluorescein flux) than USE and controls.
Defective NSE permeability was linked to reduced expression of claudin-4 and claudin-10.

Conclusions:

Neosquamous epithelium frequently displays impaired barrier function.
This defect renders NSE susceptible to injury from refluxate, potentially contributing to BE recurrence post-ablation.