Medical College of Wisconsin
CTSICores SearchResearch InformaticsREDCap

Pepsin in gastroesophageal and extraesophageal reflux: molecular pathophysiology and diagnostic utility. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 Dec;28(6):401-409

Date

10/17/2020

Pubmed ID

33060393

DOI

10.1097/MOO.0000000000000664

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85094932824 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   26 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Gastroesophageal and extraesophageal reflux are prevalent and costly diseases. Recognition of the pathogenicity of nonacid reflux has stimulated interest in alternatives to acid-targeting diagnostics and therapeutics. Pepsin is the most deleterious enzyme in refluxate, eliciting inflammatory and carcinogenic effects irrespective of acid. Its presence in all refluxate and detection in saliva have situated pepsin as the most widely researched biomarker for reflux today. This review summarizes emerging findings regarding pepsin-mediated damage during reflux and developments in pepsin-targeting diagnostics.

RECENT FINDINGS: New evidence supports a role for pepsin in epithelial--mesenchymal transition, an important process in carcinogenesis and fibrosis. The first global transcriptomic analysis of pepsin-exposed laryngeal cells was described, yielding evidence of a putative airway pepsin receptor. Evaluation of pepsin diagnostics highlighted the need for rigorous validation in which pepsin concentrations are corroborated by a secondary quantitative assay, and reflux is confirmed or excluded by multichannel intraluminal impedance pH testing. Standards for sample collection and storage, and normative and pathological values are lacking.

SUMMARY: Progress continues to be made in our understanding of pepsin-mediated damage with implications for novel therapeutic strategies. Salivary pepsin diagnostics continue to garner interest; however, further work appears necessary to improve their accuracy and reproducibility.

Author List

Samuels TL, Johnston N

Author

Nikki Johnston PhD Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Biomarkers
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Pepsin A
Saliva