Results demonstrated that LPS stimulation of TLR4 caused: (i) NF-κB activation; (ii) a dose-dependent increase in IL-8 expression and secretion in non-neoplastic BE cell lines and ex vivo cultures of squamous esophagus, BE, and duodenum biopsies; and (iii) increased COX-2 expression in ex vivo BE biopsies and BE cell lines, but not ex vivo cultures of normal squamous esophagus or duodenum. Here, PTGS2 is linked to Barrett esophagus.