Gene expression profile in EpCAM+ epithelial cells from mouse esophagus

Esophageal squamous epithelial homeostasis depends on a tightly controlled balance between basal cell self-renewal and stepwise differentiation along the basal-suprabasal-superficial axis. Disruption of this balance leads to barrier dysfunction and contributes to diseases such as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), which is characterized by basal cell hyperplasia. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal modification of eukaryotic mRNA, is a key regulator of tissue homeostasis through control of mRNA stability and other post-transcriptional processes. However, the role of m6A, catalyzed by the METTL3/METTL14 complex, in the esophageal epithelium and contribution to disease pathogenesis remain largely unknown.