Abstract
PURPOSE: To explore the role played by Glut-1 and H(+)/K(+)-ATPase in pepsin-induced, mouse laryngeal epithelial proliferation, growth, and development. METHODS: We established a mouse model of laryngopharyngeal reflux and measured Glut-1 and H(+)/K(+)-ATPase expression levels in mouse laryngeal epithelium treated with artificial gastric juice containing pepsin. RESULTS: Artificial pepsin-containing gastric juice induced significant hyperplastic changes in mouse laryngeal epithelium compared to control mice at 15, 30, and 45 days. Inhibition of Glut-1 expression by 2-DG significantly suppressed such hyperplasia compared to mice exposed to artificial gastric juice containing pepsin at 15, 30, and 45 days. After treatment with pepsin-containing artificial gastric juice, RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the levels of Glut-1 and H(+)/K(+)-ATPase α, β increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Pepsin-containing artificial gastric juice promoted mouse laryngeal epithelial hyperplasia associated with abnormal expression of Glut-1 and H(+)/K(+)-ATPase α, β.