Fig. 3

Immunohistochemical features of patients with GER symptoms. A. The protein expression of TLR2 and claudin-1. TLR2: GERD vs. FED vs. HV = 7.4 ± 1.9 vs. 4.5 ± 1.6 vs. 1.3 ± 1.0, P < 0.001; claudin-1: GERD vs. FED vs. HV = 0.4 ± 0.3 vs. 0.9 ± 1.4 vs. 4.8 ± 1.5, P < 0.001. B. The intercellular space shown by H&E staining. GERD vs. FED vs. HV = 1.4 ± 0.1 μm vs. 0.8 ± 0.1 μm vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 μm, P < 0.001. Abbreviation: GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease; FED: functional esophageal disorders; HV: healthy volunteers; TLR: toll-like receptor; DIS: dilated intercellular space; H&E staining: hematoxylin and eosin staining; DEGs: differentially expressed genes; *: P < 0.05; **: P < 0.01; ***: P < 0.001