Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Dendritic Cells and Macrophages from the Mouse Intestine
Published on: May 21, 2012
Colitis-associated colorectal cancer driven by T-bet deficiency in dendritic cells
Wendy S Garrett1, Shivesh Punit, Carey A Gallini
1Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. wendy_garrett@dfci.harvard.edu
Abstract:
We previously described a mouse model of ulcerative colitis linked to T-bet deficiency in the innate immune system. Here, we report that the majority of T-bet(-/-)RAG2(-/-) ulcerative colitis (TRUC) mice spontaneously progress to colonic dysplasia and rectal adenocarcinoma solely as a consequence of MyD88-independent intestinal inflammation. Dendritic cells (DCs) are necessary cellular effectors for a proinflammatory program that is carcinogenic. Whereas these malignancies arise in the setting of a complex inflammatory environment, restoration of T-bet selectively in DCs was sufficient to reduce colonic inflammation and prevent the development of neoplasia. TRUC colitis-associated colorectal cancer resembles the human disease and provides ample opportunity to probe how inflammation drives colorectal cancer development and to test preventative and therapeutic strategies preclinically.
More Related Videos
07:34Induction of Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of CBir1 TCR Transgenic CD4+ T Cells to Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: December 16, 2021
08:37Induction of Murine Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of Effector CD4+CD45RBhigh T Cells into Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: April 21, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations