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Intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts in inflammatory bowel diseases
Akira Andoh1, Sanae Fujino, Takafumi Okuno
1Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tukinowa, Otsu 520-2192, Japan.
Journal of Gastroenterology
|February 8, 2003
Summary
Colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs) increase in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly in Crohn's disease. These cells, stimulated by growth factors like PDGF, are crucial for mucosal repair in IBD.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs) are implicated in epithelial cell function and mucosal repair.
- Changes in SEMFs during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and vimentin in SEMFs in inflamed colonic mucosa of IBD patients.
- To assess the role of growth factors in SEMF proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of SMA and vimentin in SEMFs from IBD patients (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and controls.
- In vitro study of [3H]thymidine incorporation in isolated SEMFs stimulated by growth factors (PDGF-BB, bFGF, IGF-I).
Main Results:
- Increased SMA-positive SEMFs were observed in inflamed mucosa of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients compared to normal mucosa.
- SMA-positive SEMF numbers were higher in Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis.
- Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I significantly stimulated SEMF proliferation, with PDGF showing a strong effect.
Conclusions:
- Colonic SEMFs exhibit altered expression patterns in IBD, suggesting their involvement in the disease.
- SEMFs play a significant role in the mucosal repair processes associated with IBD.