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Neuronal COX-2 expression in human myenteric plexus in active inflammatory bowel disease
P J Roberts1, K Morgan, R Miller
1Department of Gastroenterology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Gut
|March 15, 2001
Summary
Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) is expressed in the myenteric plexus of patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), potentially contributing to gut dysmotility and symptoms like pain and diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is linked to altered colonic motility, exacerbating pain and diarrhea.
- Prostaglandins, increased in IBD, may mediate these motility changes.
- Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is elevated in active IBD, but its cellular location is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the cellular distribution of COX-2 in active IBD.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry were used.
- Colectomy specimens from 12 active ulcerative colitis (UC) and 6 Crohn's colitis patients were analyzed.
- Control specimens were obtained from 12 patients undergoing resection for colorectal neoplasia.
Main Results:
- COX-2 mRNA showed a 6-8 fold increase in inflamed IBD tissues compared to controls.
- mRNA was localized to myenteric neural cells, smooth muscle cells, and lamina propria inflammatory cells in IBD specimens.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed COX-2 expression in these cells in inflamed tissues, with no expression in normal tissues.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of COX-2 expression in the myenteric plexus neural cells in active IBD.
- Increased prostaglandin synthesis in these neural cells may contribute to the observed dysmotility in IBD.
- Targeting COX-2 in IBD may offer a therapeutic strategy for motility disturbances.
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