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Circulating fibrocytes and Crohn's disease.
S M Sahebally1, J P Burke, K H Chang
1Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital Limerick; and 4i Centre for Interventions In Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick.
The British Journal of Surgery
|November 23, 2013
Summary
Circulating fibrocytes, implicated in organ fibrosis, may play a role in Crohn's disease (CD) fibrosis. Further research is needed to investigate their pathogenic potential in CD.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Fibrosis Research
Background:
- Fibrostenotic Crohn's disease (CD) lacks effective non-surgical treatments, with frequent symptomatic recurrences.
- Intestinal fibroblasts are key in stricture formation, but their origin in CD is not fully understood.
- Circulating fibrocytes are emerging as a potential source of fibroblasts driving fibrosis via extracellular matrix production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of fibrosis pathophysiology in CD.
- To describe the cellular and molecular biology of fibrocytes.
- To elucidate the role of fibrocytes in Crohn's disease.
Main Methods:
- A literature review was conducted.
- Searched electronic databases from January 1972 to December 2012.
- Keywords included 'circulating fibrocytes' and 'Crohn's fibrosis'.
Main Results:
- Circulating fibrocytes are implicated in various organ fibrotic processes.
- Cytokines like TGF-β1, CTGF, and IL-13, elevated in CD, influence fibrocyte activity.
- These factors promote fibrocyte generation and differentiation, contributing to fibrogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Elevated circulating fibrocyte levels are observed in fibrotic conditions.
- Fibrocytes are potentially pathogenic in Crohn's disease.
- Further characterization of fibrocyte activity in CD is warranted to explore their role.
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