Expression of SOX9 in squamous epithelial cells has been shown to induce the formation of a columnar-like epithelium with the expression of columnar differentiation markers such as cytokeratin 8, demonstrating that columnar dedifferentiation and expression of intestinal markers reminiscent of Barrett's esophagus can be driven by SOX9 [26]. Here, KRT8 is linked to esophageal adenocarcinoma.