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Published on: January 12, 2016
Elevated caspase 3 expression correlates with severe inflammation in Crohn's disease
Nafie Sedju1, Michael Naumann2, Michael Vieth3
1Institute of Pathology, Klinikum Bayreuth; Institute for University Teaching and Research Medical Campus Upper Franconia, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Bayreuth.
Abstract:
Caspase 3 is a key executioner of apoptotic cell death and contributes to intestinal epithelial homeodynamics. Apoptotic dysregulation has been implicated in Crohn's disease, yet data on caspase 3 expression across disease activity states remain limited. This study analyzed caspase 3 expression in intestinal biopsies from Crohn's disease patients. Paraffin-embedded biopsies from 289 individuals were examined, including active disease (mild and severe inflammation), upper gastrointestinal involvement, remission and non-inflamed tissue. Expression in epithelial and immune cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry and scored using the Remmele immunoreactive score (IRS). Caspase 3 expression levels in epithelial cells increased in cases of severe inflammation (p=0.012), and immune cells exhibited even more pronounced expression levels (p<0.001). These findings suggest that caspase 3 expression in epithelial and immune cells may help to distinguish between mild and severe inflammation.
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