Fig. 4

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) esophageal disease. a. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained esophageal biopsies (20×) from patients with SSc representing stage 1, 2 and 3 fibrosis respectively (indicated as ^**) and grade 0, 1, 2 basal cell hyperplasia in the lamina propria (black arrow). b. Representative photomicrographs (40×) of biopsy with <10 lymphocytes, 10–20 lymphocytes and >20 lymphocytes/high-power field (HPF) in the squamous epithelium. c. Esophageal biopsy (20×) from a healthy individual demonstrating no fibrosis, grade 0 basal cell hyperplasia and <10 lymphocytes/HPF. ^*Indicates the esophageal lumen