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Ulcerative colitis--a disease characterised by the abnormal colonic epithelial cell?
P R Gibson1, E van de Pol, P J Barratt
1Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Woden Valley Hospital, Canberra.
Gut
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Colonic epithelial cells from patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease show increased membrane leakiness. This abnormality persists in ulcerative colitis even when the disease is not active, suggesting chronic inflammation impacts cell function.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Assessing colonic epithelial cell membrane integrity is crucial for understanding inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Previous studies suggest altered cell function in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cell membrane leakiness of colonic epithelial cells in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
- To determine if inflammation or disease activity correlates with altered cell membrane permeability.
Main Methods:
- Colonic epithelial cells were isolated using the collagenase/Dispase technique.
- Cell membrane leakiness was measured using a 4-hour 51Cr release assay.
- Comparisons were made between cells from normal, adenoma, cancer, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease affected colons.
Main Results:
- Cells from normal, adenoma, and cancer colons showed minimal 51Cr release (<8%).
- Cells from ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease affected colons exhibited significantly higher 51Cr release.
- In Crohn's disease, inflamed mucosa showed greater leakiness than non-inflamed mucosa; in ulcerative colitis, abnormal leakiness was observed even in histologically non-inflamed mucosa, persisting in quiescent disease.
Conclusions:
- Chronic mucosal inflammation is associated with colonic epithelial cell abnormalities.
- In ulcerative colitis, cell membrane abnormalities can persist even in the absence of active histological disease.
- Further research into local factors is needed to understand the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.
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