The metaplasia which arises in L2-IL-1β mice has been previously-described as Barrett's-like based on several criteria, the most importantly being 1) the induction of intestinal mucin-producing cells (but not classic goblet cells), 2) the disease arising in the setting of chronic inflammation at the SCJ (as occurs in the human disease), and 3) a gene expression pattern which significantly overlaps with the human BE disease [7]. The gene discussed is MUC5AC; the disease is Barrett esophagus.