PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - RUBIO, CARLOS A. AU - MILLER, MARIAN L. TI - Fundic Gland Cysts in <em>Atp4a</em><sup>−/−</sup> Mice Mimic Fundic Gland Polyps in Humans DP - 2009 Nov 01 TA - In Vivo PG - 979--981 VI - 23 IP - 6 4099 - http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/23/6/979.short 4100 - http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/23/6/979.full SO - In Vivo2009 Nov 01; 23 AB - Background: Innumerable fundic gland polyps (FGPs) (that is massive FGP polyposis) may be found in the human stomach. Innumerable fundic gland cysts (FGCs) develop in mice lacking the gene Atp4a (Atp4a(−/−)), that encodes the enzyme ATPase. The aim was to monitor the evolution of FGCs in Atp4a(−/−) mice. Materials and Methods: Six pairs (male-female) of Atp4a(−/−) mice, 8, 12 and 20 months old, were investigated. Wild-type Atp4a(+/+) mice were used as controls. Results: In Atp4a(−/−) female mice, the mucosal thickness increased both at 8 months (943±72 mm) (p&lt;0.02) and at 12 months (p&lt;0.0008) and even further at 20 months (p&lt;0.0001). The FGC area was 13.183±7.218 mm2 at 12 months and 73.361±50.591 mm2 at 20 months (p&lt;0.0008). FGCs in Atp4a(−/−) mice were lined by parietal cells, mucous pit-foveolar cells and chief cells, thus mimicking FGPs in humans. Conclusion: Older female Atp4a(−/−) mice developed innumerable FGCs, a phenomenon very similar to massive FGPs seen in humans. In the light of these similarities, the Atp4a(−/−) mouse emerges as a suitable animal model to investigate the series of events taking place during the evolution of FGPs in humans.