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Heightened NTPDase-1/CD39 expression and angiogenesis in radiation proctitis
Sunil Sheth1, Wissam Bleibel, Chandrashekhar Thukral
1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
Purinergic Signalling
|April 2, 2009
Summary
Radiation proctitis, a cause of rectal bleeding, involves inflammation and new blood vessel growth. Researchers found increased CD39 expression in these blood vessels, potentially linking it to bleeding in radiation proctitis patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Radiation proctitis causes persistent lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Purinergic signaling, involving CD39, regulates hemostasis and angiogenesis.
- The effect of radiation injury on CD39 expression is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CD39 expression patterns in rectal tissue following clinical radiation injury.
- To explore the relationship between CD39, angiogenesis, and bleeding in radiation proctitis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 8 radiation proctitis patients and 5 controls.
- Rectal biopsies analyzed via immunostaining for CD39, P2Y2 receptor, CD31, CD61, and VEGFR2.
- CD39 protein levels assessed by Western blot.
Main Results:
- Radiation proctitis lesions showed increased angiogenesis.
- Vascular CD39 expression was elevated in patients with radiation proctitis, confirmed by Western blot.
- CD39 colocalized with vascular markers (CD31, CD61) and was present in stromal tissues.
Conclusions:
- Increased angiogenesis and CD39 expression in radiation proctitis neovasculature may contribute to refractory bleeding.
- CD39 is a potential therapeutic target for managing bleeding in radiation proctitis.
