Bcl-2 Expression in the Developing Korean Fetal Esophagus

Yoo, Young Bok

Abstract

This study was intended to obtain the basic data in order to understand the role of the apoptosis-suppressing gene, bcl-2, in the esophageal development. Immunohistochemistry for bcl-2 was performed using a tissue-array technique, on Korean fetal esophagus tissues in the 14-30 weeks of the human development. The results showed that all basal cells of mucosal epithelium were immunostained for bcl-2. After 20 week, the developing glandular tissues were descended from the mucosal epithelium, and exhibited bcl-2 immunostaining. After 28 week, the developing glandular tissues were immunostained in the submucosa. Ganglion cells of submucosal and myenteric plexus were stained intensely in all stages of the esophageal development. Until 28 week, the smooth muscle cells of the lamina musclularis mucosa and the musclularis externa were stained strongly. After 28 week, the smooth muscle cells expressing bcl-2 decreased. This results may suggest that the immature cells expressed survival factors to overcome the susceptibility to cell death. In the early stage when no differentiation occurs the death of cells is suppressed, in the late stage when differentiation is achieving the death of cells increases to remove the innecessary portions of the organs in order to protect the specific cells of the organs having functions.