The review presents modern data on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of inflammatory changes of esophageal mucosa exposed to different types of reluctate (gastric, biliary or duodenal/mixed). The authors describe data on key mediators of inflammation in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and their major cellular sources, changes of the immune profile of patients. Discusses the possible impact of changes in the cellular and molecular components in the development of the inflammatory response in the esophagus on the clinical features of GERD and its therapy-refractory forms.
Keywords: Barrett's esophagus; cytokines; fibrogenesis; gastroesophageal reflux disease; inflammation; macrophages; pH-metry; reflux; the phenotype of macrophages.