Background: Dysplasia in specialized intestinal type epithelium in Barrett’s esophagus involves changes in intercellular interactions. It has been reported that loss of E-cadherin occurs during dysplastic alterations of Barrett’s mucosa, reflecting a disturbance of the integrity of the epithelium. Associations between dendritic cells and E-cadherin expression have been reported in other tissue types. In the present study we assessed whether dendritic cells that infiltrate Barrett’s esophagus might affect E-cadherin expression. Methods: Endoscopic biopsy specimens obtained from 23 patients with Barrett’s esophagus were assessed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Double immunostaining was used to examine the spatial association between E-cadherin expression and the distribution of dendritic cells. Dendritic cells were identified using anti-CD83 and anti-DC-SIGN. Results: In all specimens, E-cadherin expression was displayed by epithelial cells but the pattern of distribution of E-cadherin expression varied markedly between mucosal glands. The connective tissue matrix around glands contained dendritic cells, some of which were located in close apposition to the glandular basal membrane as well as between epithelial cells. Double immunostaining revealed that glands with dendritic cells incorporated between epithelial cells displayed aberrant E-cadherin expression. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the intrusion of dendritic cells between epithelial cells affects the integrity of the epithelium and E-cadherin expression in Barrett’s esophagus. The intrusion of dendritic cells between epithelial cells might contribute to the development of dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus.