SOX2 regulates foregut squamous epithelial homeostasis and is lost during Barrett’s esophagus development

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Abstract

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) is increasingly prevalent and is thought to arise from Barrett’s esophagus (BE), a metaplastic condition in which chronic acid and bile reflux transforms the esophageal squamous epithelium into a gastric-intestinal glandular mucosa. The molecular determinants driving this metaplasia are poorly understood. We developed a human BE organoid biobank that recapitulates BE’s molecular heterogeneity. Bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, supported by patient tissue analysis, revealed that BE differentiation reflects a balance between SOX2 (foregut/esophageal) and CDX2 (hindgut/intestinal) transcription factors. Using squamous-specific inducible Sox2 knockout (Krt5CreER/+; Sox2∆/∆; ROSA26tdTomato/+) mice, we observed increased basal proliferation, reduced squamous differentiation, and expanded metaplastic glands at the squamocolumnar junction, some tracing back to Krt5-expressing cells. CUT&RUN analysis showed SOX2 bound and promoted differentiation-associated (e.g., Krt13) and repressed proliferation-associated (e.g., Mki67) targets. Thus, SOX2 is critical for foregut squamous epithelial differentiation and its decreased expression is likely an initiating step in progression to BE and thence to EA.

Authors

Ramon U. Jin, Yuanwei Xu, Tung-Shing Lih, Yang-Zhe Huang, Toni M. Nittolo, Blake E. Sells, Olivia M. Dres, Jean S. Wang, Qing Kay Li, Hui Zhang, Jason C. Mills