pyloric metaplasia

Pyloric metaplasia (also sometimes referred to as pseudopyloric metaplasia) most commonly occurs in the setting of autoimmune gastritis.

It begins with loss of specialized cells in the oxyntic mucosa. As the cells are lost, they are replaced by a simpler glandular epithelium.

Ultimately, the metaplastic glands become indistinguishable from antral glands.

Pyloric metaplasia first affects glands closest to the antral junction, producing antral expansion at the expense of the oxyntic mucosa.

There is some debate whether the metaplastic cells are indeed metaplastic or are a novel cell lineage that develops in the stomach and other gastrointestinal sites following ulceration.

The cells appear adjacent to the ulcers and are thus termed
ulcer-associated cell lineage (UACL).

The UACL produces EGF and trefoil peptides that promote mucosal proliferation and healing.

See also

 gastric mucosal metaplasia