BACKGROUND _ AIMS: @entity354 is a condition frequently associated with @entity2910 and @entity4681 . Recent evidence suggests that proinflammatory cytokines, such as @entity1356 and @entity650 , may be implicated because they reduce esophageal muscle contractility, but these results derive from in vitro or animal models of @entity2910 . This study used @entity1 esophageal cells and tissues to identify the cellular source of cytokines in @entity1 @entity2910 investigate whether cytokines can be induced by gastric refluxate, and examine whether esophageal tissue- or cell-derived mediators affect muscle contractility. METHODS: Endoscopic mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained from @entity1 with and without @entity2910 , organ-cultured, and undernatants were assessed for cytokine content. The cytokine profile of esophageal epithelial, fibroblast, and muscle cells was analyzed, and esophageal mucosa and cell products were tested in an esophageal circular muscle contraction assay. RESULTS: The mucosa of @entity2910 @entity1 produced significantly greater amounts of @entity1356 and @entity650 compared with those of control @entity1 . Cultured esophageal epithelial cells produced @entity650 , as did fibroblasts and muscle cells. Epithelial cells exposed to buffered, but not denatured, gastric juice produced @entity650 . Undernatants of mucosal biopsy cultures from @entity2910 @entity1 reduced esophageal muscle contraction, as did supernatants from esophageal epithelial cell cultures. CONCLUSIONS: The @entity1 esophagus produces cytokines capable of reducing contractility of esophageal muscle cells. Exposure to gastric juice is sufficient to stimulate esophageal epithelial cells to produce @entity650 , a cytokine able to alter esophageal contractility. These results indicate that classic cytokines are important mediators of the motor disturbances associated with @entity1 esophageal inflammation.

@entity354 -associated @entity2910 induces endogenous cytokine production leading to XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human', 'patients'] @entity650 :: ('3569', 'Gene') :: ['IL-6'] @entity1356 :: ('3553', 'Gene') :: ['interleukin (IL)-1beta', 'IL-1beta'] @entity2910 :: ('MESH:D004941', 'Disease') :: ['esophagitis'] @entity4681 :: ('MESH:D016472', 'Disease') :: ['motor abnormalities'] @entity354 :: ('MESH:D005764', 'Disease') :: ['Gastroesophageal reflux disease']
@entity4681 :: (MESH:D016472,Disease) :: ['motor abnormalities']
