AIM： The role of the appendix has been highlighted in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis （UC）. The aims of this study were to elucidate the immuno-imbalances in the appendix of UC patients, and to clarify the r...AIM： The role of the appendix has been highlighted in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis （UC）. The aims of this study were to elucidate the immuno-imbalances in the appendix of UC patients, and to clarify the role of the appendix in the development of UC. METHODS： Colonoscopic biopsy specimens of the appendix, transverse colon, and rectum were obtained from 86 patients with UC： active pancolitis （A-Pan; n = 15）, active letf-sided colitis （A-Lt; n = 25）, A-Lt with appendiceal involvement （A-Lt/Ap; n = 10）, inactive pancolitis （I-Pan; n = 14）, and inactive left-sided colitis （I-Lt; n = 22）, and from controls. In the isolated mucosal T cells, the CD4/CD8 ratio and proportion of activated CD4＋ T ceils were investigated, and compared with controls. RESULTS： in the appendix, the CD4/CD8 ratio significantly increased in A-Lt and A-Lt/Ap. The ratio in the appendix also tended to increase in A-Pan. In the rectum, the ratio significantly increased in all UC groups. In the appendix, the proportion of CD4＋CD69＋ （early activation antigen） T cells significantly increased in all UC groups. In the rectum, the proportion of CD4＋CD69＋ T cells significantly increased only in A-Pan. The proportion of CD4＋HLADR＋ （mature activation antigen） T cells significantly increased only in the rectum of A-Pan, but not in the otherareas of any groups. CONCLUSION： The increased CD4/CD8 ratio and predominant infiltration of CD4＋CD69＋ T cells in the appendix suggest that the appendix is a priming site in the development of UC.展开更多
基金Supported by the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) from the Ministry of Culture and Science of Japan No. 16560645Grant-in-Aid for "Research for the Future" Program from The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, No. JSPS-RFTF97I00201Supporting in Research Funds from The Japanese Foundation for Research and Promotion of Endoscopy, No. JFE-1997Shimidzu Immunology Foundation, 2000Tenri Foundation for Medical Research, 1997-2000Health and Labour Science Research Grants from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and Research on Measures for Intractable Disease (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)a Grant from the "The 21st Century Center of Excellence (COE)" Program of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
文摘AIM： The role of the appendix has been highlighted in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis （UC）. The aims of this study were to elucidate the immuno-imbalances in the appendix of UC patients, and to clarify the role of the appendix in the development of UC. METHODS： Colonoscopic biopsy specimens of the appendix, transverse colon, and rectum were obtained from 86 patients with UC： active pancolitis （A-Pan; n = 15）, active letf-sided colitis （A-Lt; n = 25）, A-Lt with appendiceal involvement （A-Lt/Ap; n = 10）, inactive pancolitis （I-Pan; n = 14）, and inactive left-sided colitis （I-Lt; n = 22）, and from controls. In the isolated mucosal T cells, the CD4/CD8 ratio and proportion of activated CD4＋ T ceils were investigated, and compared with controls. RESULTS： in the appendix, the CD4/CD8 ratio significantly increased in A-Lt and A-Lt/Ap. The ratio in the appendix also tended to increase in A-Pan. In the rectum, the ratio significantly increased in all UC groups. In the appendix, the proportion of CD4＋CD69＋ （early activation antigen） T cells significantly increased in all UC groups. In the rectum, the proportion of CD4＋CD69＋ T cells significantly increased only in A-Pan. The proportion of CD4＋HLADR＋ （mature activation antigen） T cells significantly increased only in the rectum of A-Pan, but not in the otherareas of any groups. CONCLUSION： The increased CD4/CD8 ratio and predominant infiltration of CD4＋CD69＋ T cells in the appendix suggest that the appendix is a priming site in the development of UC.
