Transcriptomic Landscape of Treatment - Naïve Non-Erosive Reflux Disease

Non-Erosive Reflux Disease (NERD) is one of the most prominent and common forms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We performed transcriptomic analysis (RNA sequencing) of esophageal biopsies from patients with NERD and healthy controls to increase understanding of complex cellular and molecular pathways in NERD. Patients with persistent symptoms suggestive of GERD (acid regurgitation and/or heart burn) and no previously antisecretory or prokinetic therapy were advised to undergo 24 h pH monitor and endoscopy in sequence. NERD was defined as abnormal 24 h pH parameters and normal endoscopic performance. Healthy voluntary controls were those with absence of GERD symptoms and normal endoscopic appearance. In each subject, specimen was taken at 5 cm above the squamo-columnar junction, from macroscopically intact mucosa, prior to any antisecretory and/or prokinetic therapy. In total, mucosal biopsies from patients with NERD (n=9) and healthy controls (n=6) underwent RNA sequencing.